Michael Stephenson is not classically trained and is largely self-taught. Since joining New Music Brighton in 2001, he has had over 25 pieces premiered. Last year there were 2 performances of his Six Minute Miniatures by Talkestra, and The First Quartet was premiered by the Regency String Quartet. There was also a moving 2-piano performance by Adam Swayne and Terence Allbright of his Great War Songs which had been premiered in 2009 by the Myriad Ensemble. Hopefully in 2011 there will be a premiere of 5 short movements for string quartet and a performance of his string orchestra arrangement of the Great War Songs piece.