Mark recently retired after a lifetime teaching music at Markham District High School where he was blessed to spend these many years with his wife and colleague, Dawn. The MDHS music department was home to numerous concert bands, choirs and jazz ensembles, all actively involved in their community, while their international travel brought them to fifteen countries across North America and Europe. In 2016, the MDHS music staff were presented with the YRDSB Teaching Award of Excellence.
Mark is now working with Yamaha Music Canada as an Artist Educator, through which he has facilitated dozens of workshops and rehearsals for schools across Ontario. He is the current Music Director for the Unionville Theatre Company, conducting their most recent shows Into the Woods, Joseph and Grease. Mark is also excited to be the new Music Director for the Northdale Concert Band, an ensemble with a tradition of musical collaborations including a recent performance featuring the composer Peter Meechan along with retired principal trumpet of the TSO Andrew McCandless.
Mark is a founding member of the Ontario Band Association, serving as President as well as the Provincial Festival Coordinator for 22 years, receiving an Honorary Lifetime Membership Award. He has also been an active adjudicator at festivals including Musicfest Canada and continues to be a member of Phi Beta Mu IBA and the CBA. As recognition for his years of leadership and volunteer activities, Mark was privileged to be presented with the Canadian Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by The Chancellery of Honours, Rideau Hall, Ottawa.