Stephen Tees was born in Scotland. He played with the Amphion String Quartet from 1971-1984, and then from 1988 till 2002 was a member of the Academy of St Martin in the fields Chamber Ensemble. Since 1986 he has been principal viola with the City of London Sinfonia, and he is a professor at Trinity College of Music. He also presents duo concerts with both piano and guitar, and is busy working with music in the Community.