StephenOHern.com

Home

About

Bio

STEPHEN'S BIO

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

Stephen O'Hern's Bio So Far

Education & Training

* Stephen ( age 18 ) is currently in Year 12 at Armidale High School.
* 12 years classical guitar training with Stephen Tafra, one of Australia's leading classical guitar performers.
* Began lessons at age 5. At age 7 Stephen sat for his first AMEB exam in classical guitar.
* Achieved honours in all consequent exams, the last one he choose to sit being Grade 6 at age 12.
* Stephen has participated in classical guitar master classes with guitarists such as Karin Schaupp, Izhar Elias, Gareth Koche and Anthony Garcia.
* After the 12 years of classical training Stephen began to explore the world of acoustic guitar music and expanded his repertoire to include steel string playing. After 12 months of copying the masters such as Eric Roche, Andy Mckee and Tommy Emmanuel, he left classical guitar permanently and began to develop his technique in the different styles of steel string playing under the tutelage of Stephen Thorneycroft. Also based in Armidale, Stephen Thorneycroft is a composition lecturer at the University of New England and is the ultimate guitar tutor/player of anything with six or 12 strings!
* Stephen has now mastered a variety of styles such as percussive finger style, Celtic, flat/hybrid picking to name a few.
* Always on the search for new and varied styles of playing, Stephen's repertoire has grown to include a diverse range of music and genres. His background in classical technique has given his playing a tone and clarity rarely seen in acoustic guitarists.

Major Career Achievements

* Stephen has received first place in guitar solo in every age event entered in the Armidale Eisteddfod. And has twice been awarded the Player with most potential award (Guitar).
* In 2009 Stephen received an endorsement from LAG guitars in recognition of his unique achievements in guitar performance.
* In December 2009 Stephen recorded his first self titled CD in Canada. The CD features 12 original pieces written by Stephen for acoustic guitar.
* Stephen was invited to join the Talent Development Project in Sydney and has since been chosen to participate as a TDP student for 2012.
* Winner of the CCMA Open Instrumental Championship at the Tamworth Country Music Festival 2011
* Winner of Young Instrumentalist of the Year award at the National Folk Festival 2011
* Recipient of an Armidale Dumaresq Youth award for achievements in music

Stephen has appeared as a featured artist and concert soloist at:

* Stephen has been chosen 3 times to perform as a featured artist at the New England Creative Arts concerts (2005, 2009,2010). He also performed at the opening of Education Week in Armidale (2009).
* 2007: Stephen was invited by the Armidale City council to be a featured artist at the annual “Turning on of the Lights “ festival concert.
* 2009: Stephen put on a charity concert at the Armidale Ex Services club for the local branch of the RSPCA. The CEO of the RSPCA Steve Coleman attended this concert.
* 2009: Stephen performed as part of the 'Hats Off To Country ' Festival.
* 2010/11 Stephen was invited to perform as a featured artist at Andrew Clermont's 'Supper Club' during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
* Stephen performed at both the Dorrigo and Maldon Folk Festivals in October/November 2010.
* Featured artist at Schools Spectacular 2010
* Invited to appear and perform with The Davison Brothers Tamworth Country Music Festival 2011
* Guest artist at the NSW State Principals conference 2011
* Guest artist at the NSW State P and C conference 2011
* Guest artist at the Talent Development Project 20th Reunion Dinner / Concert 2011

Upcoming Tours and Performances

* Stephen's career goal is to become a professional guitarist touring the world with his unique brand of music and guitar performance style.

Stephen's YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/stephenohern

Thanks for dropping In.





© 2010 Stephen O'Hern. All Rights Reserved. Website Created and Maintained by Hobbynet.