In Memory of Stefan Tilford

Name: Stefan Tilford Age: 20 Occupation: Violinist Date of Birth: 5th of February, 1985 Place of Birth: St. Petersburg, Russia Hair: Dark brown Eyes: Brown Height: 5’10” Weight: 145 lbs Distinguishing Features: Burn scars over his back, from right shoulder to buttocks on his right side, a 4 inch burn scar on his chest and on his right hand, covering the back of the hand, the palm and inside of wrist. The scar on the hand is usually hidden by a thin black glove. Interests: Playing the violin, classical music, instruments, Russian and English history, art Family: Richard Tilford, father. Mika Makarova, mother. Seat: 4 B

Background: Stefan Tilford was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1985, and was the son of Richard Tilford and Mika Makarova, a collector of instruments and a ballet-dancer. Richard and Mika had met in London, and after getting married they moved to St. Petersburg. Stefan was born three years later, when Mika ended her career and instead went over to teaching young girls how to dance. Stefan grew up surrounded by music and dance. His parents owned a big house in St. Petersburg, and his father had arranged for a violin-teacher when Stefan was a young boy. Richard’s great dream was seeing his son on stage, playing on the long Stradivarius that he had bought on auction. The violin was still in perfect condition, and could be played.

Stefan played the Strad when he was 15, in his room alone. The experience was past anything he knew, and it felt as if he was someone else. He had felt it before, the feeling of giddiness as the music took over. But with the Strad, his father’s beloved violin, it felt even more intense. Despite it, Stefan knew that he could never risk destroying the old instrument, and instead bought a replica. Stefan’s life changed when he was 16, when he and his family woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of the smoke alarm. They all rushed downstairs, finding the living room on fire. They started to get out the instruments, the most valuable things they had. When trying to protect and save the long Stradivarius, Stefan’s clothes caught fire. He was rescued, along with the violin, but was badly burned. The right side of his back, a small spot on his chest and his right hand was badly burnt, after he had protected the violin with his own body.

It took him a year to recover, the pain and the fact that he could not play bothering him more than the doctors’ promise of scars. His left hand, the one that had to do the work, was unharmed…and the right one could always be covered. As soon as he was allowed, he started to play again, spending hours to practice. But Russia could only offer that much for him…he went to Vienna and joined the orchestra there. He met Anna Coventina, known as the English Rose, and her lovely nature captivated him. He spent a lot of time with her, admiring her and considering her the sister he never had. He was with her in Japan, accompanying her and also taking some time to play solo concerts. He went with her to Seattle, but on the way the plane went missing. Special notes: Stefan’s right hand has a nasty burn scar, so he wears a thin black glove over it. Since one of the scars is high up on his chest, he wears turtlenecks, shirts buttoned up to the throat and tee shirts with a high neckline. He is self-conscious about his body when it comes to undressing, and views himself as nothing more than a means to create music. He considers music his everything, and can honestly say that he’s willing to die for it.

Player's Contact: Anne