Allan Stephenson was born in Wallasey, Cheshire in England and studied piano from the age of seven and the 'cello at thirteen. He entered the Royal Manchester College of Music in 1968 and left with an ARMCM in 1972. He moved to South Africa in 1973 as sub-principal 'cellist with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra, a position he held until the demise of the orchestra.

Mr Stephenson's catalogue of works now numbers over 110 compositions, in all genres from orchestral to chamber; three operas, including 'The Orphans of Qumbu' (which has seen some 3,000 orphans of all races taking part) and the opera who dunnit 'Who killed Jimmy Valentine'; and concerti for almost every orchestral instrument.