Pianist

Stephen J Dear

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About Stephen J Dear

Providing solo instrumental piano to set the perfect ambience for weddings, events and celebrations.
Pianist
Cheltenham

I'm a versatile multi-instrumentalist, performer and music director based in the UK, available for performances at your wedding or event. Since the age of seven, I have been infatuated with playing music. I started out as a classical pianist and then broadened my skills by learning the guitar and drums. I enjoy genres from Classical to Pop and Rock and everything in between. I can provide the perfect setting to meet the needs of your event. I have performed at numerous events in my 18 years of playing and I am experienced in performing for large and small audiences. What’s Included: • Baby Grand Piano Set-up A bespoke baby grand piano set-up to match the aesthetic of any venue. • A Setlist Chosen By You Choose from an extensive repertoire to create the perfect soundtrack for your day. • High-Quality Sound System All performances include sound systems to elevate the venue. Wedding Packages: • The Ceremony Includes music for guests taking seats, entrance song, signing of registers and exit music. Includes song requests. • The Reception 2 x 45-minute sets, to add background music to the guests' drinks reception and while wedding photos are to be taken. • The Wedding Breakfast 2 x 60-minute sets, creating an ambience while guests dine.

Stephen J Dear
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5 out of 5
2 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Stephen J Dear's Reviews

From Encore customers:

LK
Lauren K
9 months ago
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5 out of 5

Was the perfect finishing touch for our wedding breakfast, absolutely amazing! Thank you Stephen!

Reply from Stephen J Dear
8 months ago

It was a pleasure to be part of your day and thank you for having me play for you, Dan and your guests.

MM
Michael M
1 year ago
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5 out of 5

Stephen was incredible, we booked him to play for our wedding breakfast and was brilliant. He accepted the booking even though he would be playing on his birthday, and even though our timings were off on the day he accommodated and still performed for the whole time. The set list he created was great, playing a diverse selection of pop and classics to a very high standard, with just the right volume to create ambiance but not overwhelm the room. I cannot recommend Stephen enough, his communication is prompt, dressed smartly to match the occasion and performed to a top standard

Reply from Stephen J Dear
1 year ago

Michael and his guests were very accommodating and polite. It was a delight to play his wedding and be part of he and Jessica's special day. Thank you for booking my service!

From other customers:

S(
Samantha (
5 years ago

Stephen provided the perfect piano setlist for our wedding, providing beautiful background music to our wedding breakfast. Would absolutely recommend him for your wedding!

D&
Dave B
2 years ago

Stephen provided a beautiful service to our wedding, playing on the entry of our ceremony. We would recommend him to all our family and friends.

Encore badges
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
1st Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over a year

Stephen J Dear's Song list

• Weddings:
Ed Sheeran - Perfect
Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud
Ed Sheeran - Tenerife Sea
Ed Sheeran - Shape of You
Ed/Taylor - Everything Has Changed
Sam Smith - Latch
James Arthur - Say You Won't Let Go
John Legend - All of Me
Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are
Bruno Mars - Marry You
Callum Scott - You Are The Reason
Kodaline - The One
Elton John - Your Song
Aerosmith - I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing
Taylor Swift - Love Story
Taylor Swift - Crazier
Adele - Make You Feel My Love
Megan Trainer - Like I'm Gonna Lose You
Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
Coldplay - Yellow
Christina Perri - A Thousand Years
Elvis Presley - Can't Help Falling in Love
Journey - Don't Stop Believin
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
Shania Twain - You're Still the One
Ellie Goulding - How Long Will I Love You
Alicia Keys - If I Aint Got You
Walk The Moon - Shut Up and Dance
Pharrell Williams - Happy
Daniel Caesar - Best Part
Train - Marry Me
Michael Buble - Everything
Lifehouse - You and Me
Charlene Soraia - Wherever You Will Go
Dan & Shay - Speechless
Dan & Shay - 10,000 hours
Florence and The Machine - You've Got the Love
Ella Henderson - Yours
Zayn/Sia - Dusk Till Dawn
Katy Perry - Unconditionally
One Direction - Little Things
Goo Goo Dolls - Iris
Ellie Goulding - Love Me Like You Do
The Lumineers - Ho Hey
Banners - Someone To You
One Direction - You and I
Lady Gaga - Shallow
Jonas Brothers - Sucker
Clean Bandit - Symphony
Kygo/Imagine Dragons - Born to be Yours
Florida Georgia Line - Meant To Be
James Bay - Wild Love
Rihanna - We Found Love
Vance Joy - Riptide
Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop the Feeling
Tom Walker - Better Half of Me
James Morrison - You Give Me Something
Take That - Greatest Day
Robbie Williams - She's The One
Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You
• Other Events:
Michael Buble - Feeling Good
Sam Smith - I'm Not the Only One
Amy Winehouse - Valerie
Tom Odell - Another Love
The Fray - How to Save a Life
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Ed Sheeran - Lego House
Adele - Make You Feel My Love
Rihanna - Stay
Bon Iver - Skinny Love
Elton John - Your Song
Lewis Capaldi - Grace
Taylor Swift - I Don't Wanna Live Forever
Labrinth - Jealous
The Script - Breakeven
Kelly Clarkson - Because of You
Anne Marie - 2002
Shawn Mendes - Stitches
James Arthur - Can I Be Him
Imagine Dragons - Whatever it Takes
One Republic - Counting Stars
Journey - Don't Stop Believin
John Legend - All of Me
Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling
Avril Lavigne - Complicated
Oasis - Live Forever
Lady Gaga - Papparazi
Katy Perry - Last Friday Night
Maroon Five - Sugar
The Kooks - Naïve
Fall Out Boy - Sugar We're Going Down
James Blunt - 1973
Bon Jovi - Always
Natalie Imbruglia - Torn
John Mayer - Burning Room
Vanessa Calton - A Thousand Miles
Owl City - Fireflies
Ellie Goulding - Love Me Like You Do
Paolo Nutini - Last Request
Emeli Sande - Read All About It
James Bay - Hold Back The River
Hozier - Take Me To Church
Nickelback.- Far Away
Adele - Skyfall

Stephen J Dear's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£300
Up to 1 hour£350
Up to 2 hours£420
Up to 3 hours£680
Customer questions

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

Providing the day of the event does not change, then a slight change in timings should not be an issue. I ask that you provide me with as much notice as possible to ensure that set-up times and delivery of performance all run smoothly.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

I am happy to run a playlist through the sound system between and before performances. Please do let me know if you have this additional request and I will try to address this and any other requirements you have.

How much time do you need to set up?

An hour is sufficient time to set up to ensure everything is operating smoothly.

If I have a piano at my venue, are you happy to perform on that?

I would be more than happy to use the venue's piano for performances, providing that the venue assists in ensuring this is appropriately set up and the sound fills the venue.

Can I pick the songs you play from the set list?

I have included my set list on my profile and I'm happy for any customer to select from this list. Please do let me know of any special requests from this list in advance to help with preparation.

Are you able to bring your own piano or keyboard?

Yes, absolutely! I have a bespoke baby grand piano shell which is designed to fit the aesthetic of any venue. This is included in the price.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

I am happy to learn up to 3 new song requests that are not already on my set list. I must know of these requests 1 month prior to the day of the event to ensure I can adapt the song to my unique style. Any additional requests would be subject to a fee to cover additional time spent in rehearsing the songs.
Musicianship
Genres:
Pop, Acoustic, Ambient pop, Covers, Soul, Rock, Alternative rock, Britpop, Classic rock, Film / TV music, Musical theatre, Folk, Country
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Hotel / Restaurant event, Recording session, Concert, Corporate event, Private event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Theatre / Show
See all event types
Other skills:
Perfect pitch, Fluent improviser, Accompanist, Arranger, Composer, Producer
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