Christian “Junior” Stevens first picked up the concertina and button accordion while growing up in Southern Maine. Largely self taught, he has studied with the legendary Noel Hill, and competed at the All Ireland Fleadh in Enniscorthy in 2000. He received a performance degree in classical and jazz piano from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, a background which has encouraged technical and musical mastery of his chosen instrument. However, his true passion has always been for the richness of Traditional Music, and while at University he’d sneak away with his squeezebox to immerse himself in Boston’s thriving Irish session scene.
He taught for many years as part of the faculty at the Hanafin-Cooley CCÉ Music School, and currently teaches a large group of students as part of his private studio throughout New England. A talented performer, he has been featured on many recordings and appears across the country as a member of the Maine based trio The Press Gang. Though his expertise has always been Irish Traditional Music, Christian draws influence from a wide variety of traditional musicians, notably the rich accordion traditions of Québec and Cajun Louisiana. www.juniorstevens.com
Instructor – Anglo Concertina
2016