Stephen SWARTZ is a percussionist, kalimbaist, toyist and vocalist who was raised in New Orleans and Shreveport, Louisiana. Stephen started playing Hugh Tracy treble kalimba in high school. He fell in love with it and wondered why it should not become as universally known/popular as the harmonica. Stephen made it his mission to promulgate this little wooden "melodic magical metal" keyed instrument. He attended the eighth international percussion symposium at North Texas State Univ.