Piano, Clarinet, Saxophone
Mark grew up in western Pennsylvania. He served as his high school’s drum major for two years, graduated from the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia, and served in San Diego, California, as a Navy musician for four years. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Pennsylvania State University and his Master's degree in Music Education at Ithaca College.
Mark has taught general and instrumental music at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in Miami, Florida, as well as here in Wake County. His middle and high school concert, marching and jazz bands consistently received superior ratings at adjudications and music festivals. Mark was an Alternative Learning Center teacher at East Wake High School for four years prior to his retirement.
Mark has extensive experience with community concert bands, both as a member and a conductor. At present, he is the conductor of the Holly Springs Community Band. He was the principal or assistant conductor of the Raleigh Concert Band for twenty years, but had to resign after accepting a high school band director position. Mark also served for one year as the interim conductor for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Village Band. He is a former member of the Cary Town Band, the Raleigh Concert Band, Repasz-Elks Band (Williamsport, PA), and the State College Municipal Band (State College, PA).
Mark’s primary wind instruments are the saxophone and clarinet. He has performed in pit orchestras for numerous musical theater productions at Meredith College, N.C. State University, and Raleigh Little Theatre and as a member of smaller musical ensembles, including the Raleigh Jazz Orchestra, Swing Street, and the Moonlighters. He also plays a mean cocktail piano.
One of Mark’s great pleasures is working one-on-one with students – be they children or adults. He is patient and encouraging, and aims to give his students the confidence to work through their challenges. Mark’s primary goal is to show his students how much fun music can be. He believes that being involved in music can truly change your life.