Stefan began his piano studies at the National School for Music and Dance in his home town of Plovdiv, Bulgaria where he played his solo debut recital at age nine and made his first orchestral appearance at age fourteen. After moving to the United States in 2000, he continued his piano studies with Neil Rutman at the University of Central Arkansas and later, Ellen Mack at the Peabody Conservatory of Music. In addition, Stefan studied extensively with Russian-American pianist Vladimir Feltsman. Equally at home as a collaborative pianist, Stefan partners frequently with Israeli-American cellist Amit Peled in recitals across the U.S. and Europe, while also serving as a collaborative piano faculty and piano faculty chair at the Heifetz International Music Institute.
Stefan has served as an organist, pianist, and a music director for the last sixteen years. He enjoys a multi-genre style of musical worship spanning across generations and traditions, and reflecting the diversity found in the congregations he serves.
Stefan holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. He lives with his wife Kate in College Park, MD. In their spare time Kate and Stefan enjoy hiking, climbing, skiing and the outdoors.