I got interested in drumming and after four years of study with my first teacher Mr. Ivan Enev, I learned the basics of drumming, music theory, and various musical styles. In year 2000 I went to Greece to specialize in Jazz at the Philipos Nakas Conservatory, a filial of the Berklee College of Music in Boston (USA), the highest educational institution in Jazz there is.
In Greece I found out about the program ‘New York comes to Groningen’ of the Prince Claus Conservatory in The Netherlands, that enables to study jazz in Europe with teachers of Berklee and other highly recognized institutions in New York. Once admitted in The Netherlands, I realized that I had found what I wanted.
The main subject was jazz and I studied drums, theory, piano, ear training, harmony, composition, arrangement, ensemble playing and I met one of the most extraordinary persons, my second drum teacher Mr. Ralph Peterson Jr., Drum Professor and Chairman of the board of directors in Berklee College of music. He taught me the depth of jazz music and drumming, rudiments, grooves, and allot about commitment, wisdom, and life. I really wanted to know, to learn the idiom of jazz, and among my teachers I was called a ‘hungry’ student, hungry for knowledge.
In my second year of education I was granted with the ‘Harten Aas Trofee’, award given by Holland Casino to very talented students. This award gave me a unique possibility to visit New York and study with one of the greatest drummers alive: Jimmy Cobb, master of the swing and member of the Miles Davis’ band in ‘Kind of Blue’, one of the greatest jazz records of all times.
I expanded my knowledge about swing, compositions, soloing, and accompaniment. In the last year of my study in Groningen I wanted to broaden my knowledge about drumming and I discovered Hindustani or North Indian Classical music.
At the Codarts Conservatory of Rotterdam I met, among others, another extraordinary person, my tabla teacher Ted De Jong. While I was preparing for my final exam in Groningen, I started already studying tabla at the World Music department in Rotterdam, where I learned Indian music theory, cultural history, tabla, tala, and Indian esthetics in performance. This inspired me to introduce already some of the concepts of Hindustani music in my graduation exam at the Prince Claus Conservatory.
The conceptual concert ‘Vernal Equinox’, symbiotically combining both the musical forms of jazz and Indian music, was very warmly accepted. At the moment I am continuing my study in Codarts and broadening my knowledge about music of the world.
Teaching Experience
During year 2007 I was given the chance to give private lessons in Lelystad The Netherlands to Autistic children with impaired social interaction and communication skills. This allowed me to explore the effect of music over the developing young human brain and see the impact of the music as a form of language and a way for expression of emotions toads and human behavior. This was a very valuable experience which I also used in formulating and structuring my Master in Performance Program proposal, and reevaluates the way I play music.
Stefan joined The Cosmic Carnival in March 2009, replacing previous sticksman Rowdy Franzen.
Awards
January 2003 Winner Harten Aas - trofee, category: jazz. This trophy is a cultural price for young musicians presented by the Holland Casino
Skill in Different Instruments Drum set, Tabla, Pakhawaj, Cajon, Udu, Small Percussions
Master classes
During my study I followed numerous master classes with, among others: Shahbaz Hussain (tabla), Mohan Shyam Sharma (pakhawaj) Druba Gosh (sarangi) Ralph Peterson (drums) Gerald Clevert (drums), Yoris Duddley (drums), Daniel Freedman (percussion), Bill Stewart (drums), Ari Hoening (drums), Steve Grossman (tenor sax), Wessel Anderson (alto sax), David Liebman (soprano and tenor sax), Lee Konitz (alto sax), Joris Teepe (Bass) David Berkman(piano) Dena De Rose (piano and vocal) Don Braden (tenor sax) Valeri Ponomarev(trumpet) Mike Stern (guitar)Stefanos Dimitrios (percussion) ), Teodosi Spassov (caval) and many more.
Interests
During my study I learned that, as musicians, we have the task to explore our inner depth and master the technical skills on our instrument to express out our inner search for happiness true music, so others can also benefit. I got inspired and I started reading all kinds of literature about the human mind and spirituality and trying them out in my daily life. I am also interested in cocking and nutrition. I like to experiment in making different dishes, from the world cuisine, which my wife loves.
In my free time I love to practice some Aikido. The non aggressive approach of this sport makes it pretty helpful for my concentration during music practice and the movements are relatively effortless like playing an instrument.
Education
2008- 2009: Private Study - Tabla with my Teacher Ted De Jong in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
November 2008: Private Study With Tabla Maestro Ustad Fayaz Khan in Delhi, India
2007- 2008: Contract study at the Indian music department, Rotterdam Conservatory Courses: Tabla, Tala, North-Indian music theory, Cultural History, Sangat-(Ensemble) Teachers: Ted de Jong, Suvarnalata Rao and Marianne Svasek
2001 – 2006: Prins Claus Conservatory, Groningen Specialization: drums, jazz department Main teachers: Ralph Peterson jr. (NY) and Owen Hart jr. (NY) Bachelor degree completed.
2005 – 2006: Contract study at the Indian music department, Rotterdam Conservatory Courses: Tabla, Tala and North-Indian music theory Teachers: Ted de Jong, Heiko Dijker and Marianne Svasek
Summer 2005: International Seminar for Jazz Music in Orsara di Puglia (Italy), with Wessel Anderson (alto sax), Antonio Ciacca (piano), Joris Teepe (bass) and Owen Hart jr. (drums)
Summer 2003: Private study with master drummer Jimmy Cobb (New York). New York U.S.A
2000 – 2001: Private study at the “Philipos Nakas” Conservatory Athens Greece
2000 - 2001: Private study at the “Pholiritmia” music academy for drums and bass in Athens, Greece
1993 – 1996: Music School “Nov muzikalen centar” Specialization: Drums and Music Theory. Plovdiv Bulgaria
Jeroen "Mr. J. Gecko" 
