Donald F. Stevison

Donald F. Stevison is a retired nuclear physicist who resides with his wife in New Carlisle, Ohio. He attended Ohio University and Ohio State University where he earned both a BS and MS in physics. It was during his career as a research nuclear physicist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base that he began playing first the baritone uke and then the tenor banjo.

After attending the FIGA convention in 1979 with his wife, she took up the plectrum and he switched to the plectrum, which he continues to play. He has attended every FIGA convention since that first one serving on the Board of Directors, as Vice President and then President. He is currently Immediate Past President.

In 1978 he joined the Kettering Banjo Society and is now lead banjo with the group. In addition, he plays with several small Dixieland bands in the Dayton, Ohio area.

Teaching is also an important part of Stevison�s dedication to the four-string banjo. He taught the first course on �How to Play Full Chord Melody� at the International Banjo College. At several of the FIGA conventions he has given well-received workshops. Since 1988 he has taught tenor, plectrum and guitar tuning banjo, written five books on how to play those instruments and arranged over 1500 solos for them.