Born in Middlesbrough in 1982, Stephen Barchan studied composition with Richard Steinitz at the University of Huddersfield, where he was awarded the J Wood and Sons Prize, and Edwin Roxburgh at Birmingham Conservatoire, supported by the EMI Music Sound Foundation and graduating from the MMus course with Distinction in 2006. He was awarded two scholarships by OCNM to attend seminars and tutorials given by Louis Andriessen, Makis Solomos, Rebecca Saunders, Tristan Murail and Zsolt Nagy at Ostrava Days 2003 and 2005, plus a bursary from the Royal Academy of Music to attend Open Academy in 2008.

Performances and broadcasts of his work have been given worldwide by many distinguished organisations and performers including Aldeburgh Music, Aruna Narayan, BBC Radio, BCMG, Carla Rees, Christopher Redgate, Club Inégales, Colourscape, Contemporary Consort, Darragh Morgan, David Purser, Endymion, Galliard Ensemble (former BBC New Generation Artists), Gerry Cornelius, ICP Ensemble, Jane Manning, Jane’s Minstrels, John Savournin, Joseph Kubera, Juice Vocal Ensemble, Julian Warburton, London Sinfonietta, LSO Discovery, Marián Lejava, Mimi Doulton, Park Lane Group, Peter Donohoe, Psappha, Riot Ensemble, Royal Musical Association, RTV Arnhem, Sounds Positive, SPNM, Tête à Tête and Xenia Pestova Bennett.

He is Senior Tutor in Composition and Music Theory at Dulwich Music Academy, Music Consultant for London New Wind Festival and currently pursuing a PhD in composition at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.