Born at Kings Mill in Mansfield, Stefan started playing the cornet at the age of nine, where he was given private lessons by Stan Lippeatt. It was soon apparent that Stefan would benefit from playing the soprano cornet.

It was on the soprano cornet that Stefan enjoyed many victories with the Shirland Miners Welfare training band and it was with this band that Stefan had his proudest moment; playing for Shirland at the World Music Championships at Kerkrade in 2005.

After the Nation Finals in 2005, Stefan left the Shirland Miners Welfare training band and he joined Ransomes in December 2005 on Solo Cornet.

As a player, Stefan as performed at the National Championships, National Mineworkers Championships, the World Music Championships and the Solo & Quartet Championships of Great Britain. Stefan has toured both Holland and Germany.