Education
Mark earned a Bachelor of Music in Keyboard Performance from George Mason University, where he studied with Anna Balakerskaia and received conducting instruction from Stan Engebretson, Anthony Maiello, and Dennis Layendecker. He holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the Mannes School of Music, where he studied with Simone Dinnerstein and furthered his collaborative work with violinist Rebecca Fischer and pianists JY Song and Cristina Stanescu. Mark also earned a Certificate from the International Academy of Advanced Conducting, following in the footsteps of Ilya Musin.
Performance Experience
Mark made his Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall debut in 2018, followed by his Steinway Hall debut in New York City in 2019. A dedicated collaborative pianist, he has served at the Mannes School of Music (2019–2021) and George Mason University (2014–2019), and currently performs as pianist at Cherrydale United Methodist Church. He previously held the same position at Truro Anglican Church from 2015 to 2019. His honors include the Newton Swift Award in Collaborative Piano from the Mannes School of Music (2021) and First Prize at the XIV Orfeo International Music Competition (2016).
Teaching Experience
Mark served as a Teaching Artist at the Mason Community Arts Academy from 2015 to 2019.
Teaching Philosophy
Mark believes that, above all, a student should be equipped with the tools for self-exploration.
This includes methods for practice, study, self-reflection, and, most of all, the unwavering pursuit of lifelong joy and passion. Every student should be instilled with the desire to forever play, enjoy, and appreciate music. Mark also believes that music is not a universal language – rather, that every single student of music speaks it differently. Every student is encouraged to study music as authentically and as true to their nature and goals as possible.
To prepare his students, Mark spends significant time teaching methods of deliberate practice. He explores concepts of memorization, works to understand the physiology of the hands and the body, and learn how to most effectively turn our minds towards the task of learning. You’ll learn how to reflect on our progress with constructive positivity, how to avoid physical injuries, and how to approach practice with enthusiasm and enjoyment.
Mark charges his students with the task of being students of cultures. You’ll explore the musical works of other instruments, written in other cultures and other time periods. In this way, you’ll become more aware not only of what has been written before, but also of what is being written now, and, hopefully, in the future. You’ll explore systems of music theory from around the globe, as well as learn how to critically listen to works of music, which, in turn, informs how to listen to oneself. And, as you learns how to listen, so, too, does your own intrinsic voice develop and blossom.
Mark’s philosophy is that teaching students about music is to give them the resources to explore not just music, but the world. And, in doing so, teach them to love the work of this lifelong pursuit.