"Stephen, you have been a role model of guidance and encouragement, and a figure Isabel needed in this stage of her life. Thank you for motivating her. I derive my endless joy from seeing her enjoy music as much as she does. I think music is for everyone, but tends to speak loudest to sensitive and unique souls". - Dr.Lisa (Mum).
"Stephen taught my son for around 4 years and in that time helped him progress from a beginner to an accomplished performer. His lessons were always full of positive energy and it was obvious that he really cared about his students. I highly recommend Stephen for percussion students of all ages and abilities" - Calvin.
"Stephen taught my son Archie for nearly 4 years from the age of 6, before moving cities. Archie needs a bit more understanding and to be taught in a particular way (as he has an ASD diagnosis), and Stephen has been perfect for him. He has been an excellent drumming teacher for Arch, as he has understood his personality and no doubt altered his teaching style subtly to suit his needs. Stephen likes to keep the lessons fun and humorous , all the while helping to inspire and ensure his students reach their capability. I’m proud to say that Archie is now a very good drummer and would be capable of playing in a band (and he is not quite 10 years old yet!), all thanks to Stephen!" - Glenn.
"I first met Stephen when he was playing percussion, live at a mariachi gig in Brisbane, and I really liked his subtle and laid back approach. He's not one of those drummers who feels the need to fill every space in the music. He has a nice minimalist style that informs and enhances the music without overwhelming it. I was therefore very pleased that he agreed to teach me to play the congas.
As an adult student coming to percussion later in life, I enjoyed his mixture of theory and practice, and the way he seemed to tailor what we did to my interests in Latin music and jazz. He is a patient and thorough teacher, and he makes the lessons (and the practice) fun and inspiring. And all of it is informed by his strong academic background and his experience playing in bands here and in Europe. If you are looking for a teacher of congas and bongos I highly recommend him - and go and see him play if you get the chance. Melbourne's gain has definitely been Brisbane's loss!" - Jonathan.
"Stephen is an enthusiastic teacher, who connects with and inspires students. His teaching method and style is very enjoyable, but also logical and focused on results and confidence. Our son loved his four years of lessons. We all miss Stephen and wish him all the best in Melbourne." - Darren and Nancy (Brisbane).
"Stephen is a fantastic teacher. Since starting lessons with him, I've learned a lot about dynamics, feel, motion and applying different rhythms to build my repertoire. I feel more creative, expressive and connected with what I'm playing. Stephen has a great passion for music, with a real breadth of knowledge of different drumming and percussion styles. It's been great learning about how rhythmic influences spread across different types of music, and how to use these to add variety and create new patterns and fills." - Brian.
"Stephen is a great ensemble percussionist & I have hired him to play with Step It Up in Brisbane at every opportunity. We are a percussion focussed groove jazz ensemble playing original instrumentals with tight arrangements & extended sections of percussion improvisation. Stephen was tight in the arranged sections, a great reader and inventive improviser. He prepares well, listens deeply & fitted in perfectly. Give him a gig with confidence. Check his footage with us at" - stepitup.net - Des.
“Stephen is a very professional and dedicated teacher who shares his passion for music with his students. Alex has enjoyed Stephen's flexible approach to teaching, kindness and enthusiasm. Alex has made enormous progress both technically and musically in the 4 years that Stephen taught him.” - Claire.
"Stephen has been a mentor and inspiration to me for many years. A few years ago I was taking a break from music as I was very unsure in myself and my potential. I had deferred my degree in music and attending jam nights was my only musical activity. Stephen inspired me and convinced me to follow my passion for drumming and return to study. I ended up completing my degree with outstanding grades and am now studying in my honours year, playing regular paid gigs and involved in several promising creative projects. I owe him a great many thanks for where I am today, and for what I'm still to accomplish. Thank you Stephen for helping me to believe in myself and for your contagious energy and positive attitude!" - Casper.
“Stephen Caruana is one of the most inventive and musical Latin players around, and as a teacher he knows how to get the real essentials of groove and creativity across.” - James Harper. Arts reviewer and percussionist, Jumping Fences Band (Brisbane)
"Having had over 30 lessons from Stephen in the past couple of years (Brisbane), I can give my full recommendation for him as a teacher. His wide range of experience and abilities enabled him to cater to pretty much any requests I threw at him. I'm a working drummer in a few different bands and am always wanting to grow my "toolbox", and Stephen has been a great coach and sounding board for this. His having spent extensive amounts of time overseas, I believe, has developed his personality and teaching style to one that is encouraging and always positive, even when formative feedback was required. It really is all in the delivery, and Stephen does this very well. Stephen is a genuine, trustworthy teacher who genuinely pays attention to his clients and works with and for them. This can be hard to find in what is quickly becoming a somewhat saturated market, and I'm glad I found it in him. Thanks again for all you time, patience and encouragement, mate. Hope to catch up with you again, soon." - Rob Arnolda.
"Stephen taught my son for around 4 years and in that time helped him progress from a beginner to an accomplished performer. His lessons were always full of positive energy and it was obvious that he really cared about his students. I highly recommend Stephen for percussion students of all ages and abilities" - Calvin.
"Stephen taught my son Archie for nearly 4 years from the age of 6, before moving cities. Archie needs a bit more understanding and to be taught in a particular way (as he has an ASD diagnosis), and Stephen has been perfect for him. He has been an excellent drumming teacher for Arch, as he has understood his personality and no doubt altered his teaching style subtly to suit his needs. Stephen likes to keep the lessons fun and humorous , all the while helping to inspire and ensure his students reach their capability. I’m proud to say that Archie is now a very good drummer and would be capable of playing in a band (and he is not quite 10 years old yet!), all thanks to Stephen!" - Glenn.
"I first met Stephen when he was playing percussion, live at a mariachi gig in Brisbane, and I really liked his subtle and laid back approach. He's not one of those drummers who feels the need to fill every space in the music. He has a nice minimalist style that informs and enhances the music without overwhelming it. I was therefore very pleased that he agreed to teach me to play the congas.
As an adult student coming to percussion later in life, I enjoyed his mixture of theory and practice, and the way he seemed to tailor what we did to my interests in Latin music and jazz. He is a patient and thorough teacher, and he makes the lessons (and the practice) fun and inspiring. And all of it is informed by his strong academic background and his experience playing in bands here and in Europe. If you are looking for a teacher of congas and bongos I highly recommend him - and go and see him play if you get the chance. Melbourne's gain has definitely been Brisbane's loss!" - Jonathan.
"Stephen is an enthusiastic teacher, who connects with and inspires students. His teaching method and style is very enjoyable, but also logical and focused on results and confidence. Our son loved his four years of lessons. We all miss Stephen and wish him all the best in Melbourne." - Darren and Nancy (Brisbane).
"Stephen is a fantastic teacher. Since starting lessons with him, I've learned a lot about dynamics, feel, motion and applying different rhythms to build my repertoire. I feel more creative, expressive and connected with what I'm playing. Stephen has a great passion for music, with a real breadth of knowledge of different drumming and percussion styles. It's been great learning about how rhythmic influences spread across different types of music, and how to use these to add variety and create new patterns and fills." - Brian.
"Stephen is a great ensemble percussionist & I have hired him to play with Step It Up in Brisbane at every opportunity. We are a percussion focussed groove jazz ensemble playing original instrumentals with tight arrangements & extended sections of percussion improvisation. Stephen was tight in the arranged sections, a great reader and inventive improviser. He prepares well, listens deeply & fitted in perfectly. Give him a gig with confidence. Check his footage with us at" - stepitup.net - Des.
“Stephen is a very professional and dedicated teacher who shares his passion for music with his students. Alex has enjoyed Stephen's flexible approach to teaching, kindness and enthusiasm. Alex has made enormous progress both technically and musically in the 4 years that Stephen taught him.” - Claire.
"Stephen has been a mentor and inspiration to me for many years. A few years ago I was taking a break from music as I was very unsure in myself and my potential. I had deferred my degree in music and attending jam nights was my only musical activity. Stephen inspired me and convinced me to follow my passion for drumming and return to study. I ended up completing my degree with outstanding grades and am now studying in my honours year, playing regular paid gigs and involved in several promising creative projects. I owe him a great many thanks for where I am today, and for what I'm still to accomplish. Thank you Stephen for helping me to believe in myself and for your contagious energy and positive attitude!" - Casper.
“Stephen Caruana is one of the most inventive and musical Latin players around, and as a teacher he knows how to get the real essentials of groove and creativity across.” - James Harper. Arts reviewer and percussionist, Jumping Fences Band (Brisbane)
"Having had over 30 lessons from Stephen in the past couple of years (Brisbane), I can give my full recommendation for him as a teacher. His wide range of experience and abilities enabled him to cater to pretty much any requests I threw at him. I'm a working drummer in a few different bands and am always wanting to grow my "toolbox", and Stephen has been a great coach and sounding board for this. His having spent extensive amounts of time overseas, I believe, has developed his personality and teaching style to one that is encouraging and always positive, even when formative feedback was required. It really is all in the delivery, and Stephen does this very well. Stephen is a genuine, trustworthy teacher who genuinely pays attention to his clients and works with and for them. This can be hard to find in what is quickly becoming a somewhat saturated market, and I'm glad I found it in him. Thanks again for all you time, patience and encouragement, mate. Hope to catch up with you again, soon." - Rob Arnolda.