Trevor Stewart has been playing the Chapman Stick since October of 1998. Previous study on the guitar, piano and viola led to a quick adaptation on the Stick. Trevor studied viola and music composition and performance at Wichita State University. Frequently performing in Wichita he is one of the very few "Stickist's" residing in Kansas.
Primarily performing solo, he has also contributed to various groups and projects such as the Native-American music group Passing Through which was nominated for a Native American Music Award in 2006 and an Indian Summer Music award in 2005. Trevor's music served a large part in the soundtrack of the 2007 regional PBS documentary 'Flint Hills: Meditations from a Kansas Prairie'.
He currently leads a quartet named Earthlines which consists of a Native American flute, steel drums and percussion. The group earned a standing ovation for their performance at the celebrated Walnut Valley Festival in 2009 and 2010. Their first album titled Dreamwalking is the soundtrack to a documentary titled ‘Return to PrairyErth‘ which stars New York Times bestselling author William Least Heat-Moon.
Dreamwalking reached the top 10 on new age radio playlists according to zonemusicreporter.com. The album has been heard on the nationally syndicated radio programs 'Hearts of Space' and 'Echoes' where it reached the top 25. Trevor's music is heard frequently on the Nightcrossing's radio program on 90.1 KHCC and on 89.3 KCUR in Kansas City.
In 2010 he began performing and educating about technology and creativity in music from around the world to various grade schools. In addition to his own music Trevor's playing also appears on the album 'Flood' by Telarc label blues recording artists Moreland and Arbuckle. His solo performances often consist of viola, hand-drums and hammered dulcimer on top of live loop recording with the Stick which has the feeling of a full ensemble.
The Chapman Stick (R) is a unique musical instrument invented by Emmett Chapman in 1969. It consists of a long fret board with twelve strings spanning a bass and guitar range. Sound is produced when the strings are "tapped" against the frets by the fingers. An electronic pickup is used to amplify the sounds. This new technique allows the musician to use both hands in order to play multiple parts like a piano while having the direct fingers-to-strings control and feel similar to a guitar.
The model of Stick that Trevor uses utilizes a MIDI pickup on the upper strings which can trigger a synthesizer while simultaneously playing the natural sound of the Stick. Mr. Chapman continues to manufacture the Stick at his home in Woodland Hills, CA.
In 2009 and 2010, Trevor appeared with The Earthlines
Rik Stevenson has been a Kansas Acoustic Art's Association member since moving to Wichita in 1999 where he served on the board for several years. Immediately being drawn to this organization's passion for acoustic music of all genres, but also for being progressive enough to allow for the new and unusual. He was originally a singer-songwriter deep into folk and acoustic roots blues, but also happened to play the didgeridoo where he was accepted into various Irish jams wholeheartedly. Rik's relationship with Trevor grew as a result of Trevor's understanding and proficiency in playing music of a more meditative and healing aspect. Rik had previously studied music therapy used particularly by ancient cultures for healing and mood altering qualities.
After being diagnosed with cancer in 2006, his music took on a whole new urgency. Rik then took up the Native American flute. His first flute was built especially for him in the healing key of F# and blessed by a Lakota Shaman. The blessing given to this flute is that it heal the hearts of all who hear it. From there, Rik and Trevor recorded the album 'Healing River' finished the day before brain surgery. Although he was given a poor prognosis, he has recovered and Rik's musical evolution has blossomed into the 'Earthlines' experience.
Terry Corbett is known in Wichita largely for his tile and other visual arts, but comes from a family with a very strong musical background. His unique style of songwriting and steel drumming is peaceful and ethereal. Terry's wise sense of improvisation and counterpoint is the glue to the different elements of the group.
Dennis Balderes started playing music at age 11. He was playing guitar and percussion as a teenager with latin, rock and gospel groups in venues around Wichita. Dennis performed at Jerry Garcia's wake. He currently plays with a local group called Infusion. In any musical situation he always plays with great love, so it's no wonder why his vast, warm sound on the djembe is the heartbeat of 'Earthlines'.