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Tsawwassen teen shares love for guitar

Carter Stefan is just 13 years old but he's already released his first all-instrumental album
guitarist
Carter Stefan plays every Monday for the residents of Augustine House.

You might not know the name Carter Stefan yet, but you will soon as the Tsawwassen teen is starting to make his mark in the music world.

At just 13, Stefan is already an accomplished classical/jazz guitarist.

Last year he wrote 12 original compositions, recorded each song, performed all the accompanying music and then released the allinstrumental album Carter Stefan - Twelve by Twelve two months before his 13th birthday.

Stefan first picked up the guitar when he was 10 and was instantly hooked.

"It started with some pretty easy stuff and then I was put in front of an audience and I made like $200," he recalled. "I thought, 'Wow,' this is pretty awesome. From there I just loved performing and sharing my music with other people."

Stefan's music encompasses many styles, including country, reggae, classical and some Delta Blues. Besides the guitar, Stefan played the ukulele, piano, trumpet, percussion, base and various other sound effects for the album.

His label Kave Sound Studios recently submitted the album to the Junos for consideration for Best Album of the Year.

"I'm really stoked - I hope it gets nominated," Stefan said.

He said he really doesn't know where his music comes from.

"I just sit down with the guitar and I just play. It just comes out of my mind and my instrument. I don't know how it happens, it just comes out," he said.

Stefan has already built up quite a community following with numerous private performances, the Special Olympics Delta gala dinner, the South Delta Jazz Festival, the Grand Prix of Art and a performance at Gallery 1710 in Tsawwassen.

But one gig he is most proud of is his weekly Monday performance at Augustine House where he plays from 4 to 6 p.m. for the residents.

"In Grade 6 we had to do a volunteer project, so I went to Augustine House and performed and it was a lot of fun," he said. "I really like playing in front of these people. They are nice. The staff here are great too. I just love volunteering."

And the residents get just as much out of the experience as Stefan does, according to recreation manager Tim Bowman.

"It's right before dinner and it can be a very calming experience for the residents," said Bowman. "The first time he came here last year he just blew us away. I asked him back right away and it has turned into a regular Monday gig. He's a super nice kid too. It's nice to see a young man being such a devoted volunteer."

Balancing his music, school and finding time to hang out with friends is a constant challenge, but one Stefan relishes.

"I really love what I'm doing and I want to be the best guitarist in the world. To do that I know that I might have to make a few sacrifices, but that's OK," he said. "I just love playing music. I can't see myself doing anything else."

Check out http://www.carterstefan.com for more about the artist.