Lyrico Spinto tenor, Stéfan Louw, studied singing at the University of South Africa (UNISA) from 1988 to 1991, during which period he was a member of the Provincial Youth Choir.  He furthered his studies at the University of Pretoria from 1993 to 1995 and appeared as soloist for the University Choir on numerous occasions.  He was a member of the State Theatre Opera Chorus from 1995 and in 1996 received the Chorister of the Year Award.

Stéfan made his debut with the Pretoria State Theatre as Beppe in  Pagliacci, directed by Michael Williams.  For this performance he received the FNB Vita Opera Award for Best Newcomer in Opera.  Shortly thereafter, in May 1999, he appeared in the prestigious Debut with Mimi, hosted by the internationally acclaimed soprano, Kämmersangerin Mimi Coertse. He was also a founding member of the Black Tie Ensemble, which was started by Ms Coertse and opera director Neels Hansen, to develop and promote young South African singers. Today he regularly performs with the Ensemble for corporate and private functions.

In August 1999 he appeared as Pang in Turandot under the direction of Angelo Gobbato at the Pretoria State Theatre.  As a member of the chorus, Stéfan understudied the role of Ferrando in Cosi fan Tutte at the Pretoria State Theatre during October 1999.

In the period 2000 to 2003 Stéfan took part in several productions for Salon Music.  These include Alfredo  in La Traviata, Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Tonio in La Fille du Regimént and Barinkay in Der Zigeuner Baron.

In July 2003, Stéfan made his professional leading-role debut as Cavaradossi in Tosca for Pro Musica Opera under the direction of Emma Renzi.  This performance lead to Die Beeld rating him as one of South Africa's Top 10 Classical Musicians.  In April 2004 he appeared as Alfredo in La Traviata at the Pretoria State Theatre under the direction of Themi Venturas and Steven Stead.  In July of the same year he was heard as Lt. Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly for Pro Musica Opera under the direction of Amanda van Zyl.  Early in 2005 Stéfan made his Durban Playhouse debut in Bravo! Night at the Opera, subsequently singing the role of The Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto for Opera Africa in Bloemfontein and Pretoria.  Later in the same year he was heard as Rodolfo in La Boheme for Pro Musica Opera under the direction of Hans van Heerden.  A regular face on the stage of the Pro Musica Theatre, he appeared as soloist for the 2006 Silver Jubilee Concert of which a DVD is available.  During April of the same year he took part in the Durban Playhouse Theatre's "Bravissimo - Opera Highlights". Shortly thereafter he sang Cavaradossi in a Tosca Vigniette for the Black Tie Ensemble at the Pretoria State Theatre.  At the end of 2006 he appeared as Tebaldo in Opera Africa's I Capuleti e i Montecchi (Romeo and Juliet) opposite world-renown mezzo Michelle Breedt.

He made his international debut at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago (USA) as Duncan in Princess Magogo ka'Dinuzulu in June 2004.  He will once again appear in the same role during August 2007 in Oslo at the Norwegian National Opera.

Stéfan has also performed the tenor solo roles of Puccini's Messa di Gloria, Handel's Messiah, Rossini's Stabat Mater, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony as well as Dvorak's Mass in D-major at numerous occasions throughout South Africa and Namibia.  He will soon also be heard in Verdi's Requiem.