Stephen Raine is a unique artist with a mission to tell his story through music. In 2023, Stephen's career as a musician took a dramatic direction when he was involved in a traumatic circular saw accident to his right hand, which resulted in the amputation of his little finger, and almost complete loss of all of the other fingers on that hand.
Determined not to give up, after multiple surgeries, months of rehabilitation and a challenging journey to rebuild many years of work, Stephen again performs on the concert stage sharing his journey with a renewed artistic perspective.
About Stephen
Biography
Born in Durham, England, Stephen Raine began his musical study at the age of six. His earliest performances on the piano accordion quickly revealed a natural affinity for music, leading him to appear frequently in local concerts and festivals throughout his childhood. His passion for the piano was ignited upon hearing the keyboard works of Johann Sebastian Bach. An exceptional and curious student, Stephen’s intellectual and artistic breadth was evident from a young age. Alongside his musical studies, he achieved outstanding academic success, earning national distinction by attaining the highest AQA Media Studies A Level results out of 51,000 UK candidates, an achievement recognised at the top student awards ceremony in London.
Stephen went on to study at the London College of Music, where he graduated in 2013 with First Class Honours and the Licentiate of the London College of Music (LLCM) diploma in Piano Performance. Since then, he has performed extensively across the UK and abroad, appearing at venues including The Glasshouse, Gateshead, and building a reputation for performances marked by depth, clarity, and emotional insight.
In 2023, Stephen’s career took an extraordinary turn following a life-changing circular saw accident that caused devastating injuries to his right hand and resulted in the amputation of his little finger and near total loss of the remaining fingers. For any pianist, such an injury represents the unimaginable. Yet through extraordinary perseverance, determination, and months of complex surgery and rehabilitation, Stephen not only regained movement but began the process of retraining his hand, relearning technique, touch, and repertoire from the ground up. Against all odds, he returned to the concert stage in early 2024, and his performances since have been acclaimed for their profound emotional resonance and renewed artistic perspective.
This remarkable journey has since become an integral part of Stephen’s identity as both a musician and a person. His approach to performance, informed by resilience, gratitude, and deep reflection, has added a new dimension to his artistry and listeners frequently comment on the sense of personal connection in his playing.
Stephen’s story of recovery has also led to motivational speaking, sharing his experience in talks and presentations that explore mental strength, progress and the transformative power of music. Stephen’s rare clinical case and recovery have become valuable educational resources, featured in several medical studies and training programmes, from NHS-led research to international courses in hand therapy, helping to educate practitioners around the globe in the pioneering techniques that supported his rehabilitation.
Alongside his performing career, Stephen is a dedicated and sought-after teacher, passionate about fostering creativity and confidence in his students. He regularly organises workshops, recitals, and educational projects, believing that music education is a vital and transformative part of community life.
Today, Stephen continues to perform, teach, and speak throughout the UK and internationally. His career stands as a reminder that even in the face of extraordinary challenges, music can continue to offer hope, healing, and a profound sense of purpose. His message, that creativity can endure and even flourish through adversity, has inspired audiences beyond the classical music world.
Click here to learn more about Stephen's hand accident. WARNING - CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES OF INJURY.
