At the age of twelve, Stephen began studying piano under Mike DeRosa. Mike was immediately aware of Stephen's "perfect pitch" (the ability to identify a tone without needing a second tone for comparison) and recommended that he have his piano tuned by Herbert Bach, an expert at piano tuning and repair. Stephen was interested in learning all he could about pianos to enhance his skill in playing and fully understand the instrument that he loved so.  Stephen asked Mr. Bach to teach him piano tuning but was turned down at first.

Stephen furthered his education by studying under Connie Crothers (a Lennie Tristano protégé), who recommended that Stephen use her tuner, Herbert Bach. It was an amazing coincidence that Stephen was referred to Herbert Bach once again (by the way, Herbert Bach was Lenny Tristano's piano tuner).  After five years of advising him that he didn't teach tuning and repair, Stephen's persistence and love for the piano impressed Mr. Bach so much that he eagerly took Stephen under his wing and kindly taught him everything he knew.

After completing his apprenticeship, one of Stephen's first endeavors was to purchase several old pianos to tune, repair and rebuild. Stephen now tunes and repairs pianos professionally under the business name looneytuner.com.

Addendum: April 2005.  Sadly, Herbert Bach has passed away.  Mr. Bach was very proud of Stephen and often refereed to him as "his protégé".  Stephen is honored to carry on in the footsteps of Herbert Bach, in tribute and loving memory, and will always be grateful for the knowledge he bestowed upon him.