[ Stephen Belans ]

Group // Drum Set Educator-Austin, TX

Stick  //

In a town that reveres songwriters like maybe no other, Stephen Belans clearly found his home in Austin, Texas –– even though he's not a songwriter himself.  

A song-oriented drummer and percussionist, Stephen tours and records with many of his celebrated musical hometown's most gifted songwriters including a long association with the poignantly honest Kacy Crowley. From the shrewdly observational James McMurtry to Grammy-nominated popstress Abra Moore, ragged rootsy poet Beaver Nelson to No Depression Magazine's "Artist of the Decade" Alejandro Escovedo, Timbuk 3's Barbara K to hard-charging blues guitarist Mason Ruffner, Stephen plays for the song.  

Depending the musical setting, you might hear him serve up a comfort-food backbeat or a slippery shuffle, while he might propel a more delicate arrangement with a compelling brush pulse. When the music calls for it, Stephen builds some delightfully unexpected "kitchen sink" grooves with all sorts of tchotchkes taped to his sticks or stuck to his drums. And he's not afraid to bring the Powerbook along if a few friendly electrons will energize a song. Whatever the approach, expect a passionate performance delivered with confidence and grace.  

"The tone of the song obviously plays the biggest role in how I approach playing it," explains Stephen. "I want to support the writer's intent, and help the artist deliver the emotional attitude of the song, without over-thinking it. It has to feel authentic and free."  

Serving on the teaching faculty at Austin Lyric Opera's Armstrong School, Stephen enjoys working with students of all stripes to unlock their potential. "So many times a student's biggest obstacle," he explains, "is just worrying about 'doing it wrong.' They end up stiff and nervous. We open up their flow by building a confident pulse and expanding their musical vocabulary, and we do that by using basic technique to wipe out any physical hurdles they might be putting up." The results speak for themselves. "Pretty soon," he offers, "they're making music instead of worrying about playing their part right."  

Stephen understands the value of music education –– both formal and informal. He earned his undergraduate degree from the Indiana University School of Music at Bloomington where he studied timpani with Gerald Carlyss of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Rick Holmes of the St. Louis Symphony. He studied independently with rock drumming icon Kenny Aronoff and jazz master Joe Morello of the The Dave Brubeck Quartet. But he knows that the most powerful musical knowledge is individually discovered, and he encourages his students to balance methodical study with musical exploration. Most importantly, he teaches them to listen and to always, always serve the song. 

Stephen Belans uses the Vater Recording, Splashstick Lite and Heavy Wire Retractable Bruses.