Stephen Reay has been principal bassoonist with the Northern Sinfonia for over eighteen years and regularly appears as soloist with them. He studied at the Royal Academy with Gwydion Brooke and upon graduating regularly played principal bassoon with the Philharmonia, the position held for many years by his teacher.

Recordings include Strauss' Duet Concertino with Richard Hickox and Martinu's Sinfonia Concertante in addition to many radio broadcasts. Robin Holliday and Judith Bingham have both written concertos for him. In 1997, he was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.

Stephen very much enjoys teaching and is involved in coaching the Young Sinfonia and the "Cobwebs" Orchestra, an adult amateur group that meets in the North East under the auspices of the Northern Sinfonia. He regards the Harrogate course as one of the highlights of his year and is inspired to help wind players achieve higher levels of musicality in the tradition of the great English wind players who taught and played with him.