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ABOUT STEPHEN

Images by
June Underwood
(www.ccimage.com.au)

About Stephen O'Hern So Far

The Early Years

Stephen has shown a passion for guitar from the age of 2 when he was given a small red plastic guitar as a gift. Since that age everything was turned into a guitar for pretend play. He would even draw and cut out guitars from cardboard. At age 5, a local and renowned guitarist Stephen Tafra was approached to give him guitar lessons. He was at first reluctant to begin with someone at such a young age, however it became evident after the first few lessons that age was not going to be a barrier to Stephen. He picked up the skills and co-ordination quickly and by age 7 was sitting for his first AMEB exam.

Teachers

Stephen has spent the last 10 years studying classical guitar under the guidance of Stephen Tafra. Stephen Tafra is a renowned classical guitarist becoming a finalist in the Australian Guitar Competition at a young age.

Stephen has also enjoyed the opportunity to have master classes with other guitarist such as Karin Schaupp, Anthony Garcia, Gareth Koch, and Izhar Elias.

Since 2008 Stephen has moved his attention to Steel string guitar playing. For this he has called upon additional expertise of Steve Thorneycroft another local and renowned guitarist. Steve Thorneycroft originally from Wales, was also a finalist in the Australian Classical guitar Competition . Steve is currently working as Composition lecturer at UNE but is also in constant demand as a session guitarist. He plays a wide range of guitars from classical through to electric and mandolin.

Influences

Stephen is enjoying mastering the music of several famous steel string guitarists and composers such as Eric Roche, John Butler, Andrew York, and of course Tommy Emmanuel. His years of studying classical guitar technique have proved an advantage to mastering the fast finger picking style required in many of these pieces.

The greatest highlight however thus far in his life has been personally meeting and playing his guitar to Tommy Emmanuel. While in Armidale for a concert Tommy graciously agreed to see and hear Stephen play his guitar during the afternoon sound check. Stephen played “ Countrywide “ to him and Tommy passed on many tips for playing the piece easier. Though clearly a musical genius Tommy was warm, friendly and very encouraging towards Stephen and joked about “one day lining up to purchase Stephen's CDs”.

Guitars

Stephen's first guitar was a half size cheapie from the local Music shop ' Black Dot Music”. In 2004 he upgraded to a La Patrie , a Canadian made classical guitar. He had this guitar “re topped “ by local Luthier Peter Biffen which gave the guitar even greater tone and resonance. In 2006 he bought his first steel string guitar. This was a “Lag Winter” and impressed him with its warm tone and wide neck for finger work. His latest purchase is a Jim Williams guitar bought at “ the Guitar Factory “ in Sydney. This is an Australian hand made guitar which in Stephen's opinion out played all others in the shop!

In 2008 Stephen's grandfather purchased for him a Banjo. Stephen had long shown an interest in the instrument and it's music. His grandfather had grown up listening to his dad play the Banjo so it was with great pleasure that he helped enable this skill and tradition to pass down to his grandson Stephen.

Other Interests

When not practicing and playing his beloved guitars Stephen likes to hit the circuit with his hotted up MotorKhana car – a Celica rebuild with a V6 Commodore (Buick) 3.8 litre engine. The club meets most months at a local Skid pan. Stephen doesn't score any places but has a lot of fun testing the limits and drifting capabilities of the Celica.

His favorite subject at school is Drama in which he loves to put himself out there and make as many people laugh as possible. Comedy has always been a favorite genre.

Stephen's YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/stephenohern

Thanks for dropping In.





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