Lesson Details
Organ
- Levels Taught:
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Mark teaches
About
- Teaches students:
- Ages 11+
- Teaching since:
- 1990
I am an active performer eager to teach organ, piano, voice, and general musicianship skills to youth and adults. Private lessons are given at Trinity Lutheran Church in Worcester. I also teach in-home piano lessons. My students have gone on to undergraduate and graduate performance schools and hold full-time positions in churches, schools, and other performing organizations around the country. I believe music is not only an aesthetic pursuit, but also a primary way to develop one's sense of self-esteem, community, trust, openness, and character. Building skill as a musician exercises the brain, builds logic, and fosters discipline.
I have been elected Dean of the Worcester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, with a two year term beginning July 2018.
Members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Worcester get a discount of 50% off all lesson rates posted here on TakeLessons. Message me to receive instructions on how to take advantage of these great rates.
Experience
Cantor
Oct 2016 - PresentDirector of congregational music ministry. Organist for all liturgies. Conductor of the Trinity Choir and Trinity Choristers. Artistic Director of the Music at Trinity series.
Distinguished Visiting Cantor
Jun 2015 - Dec 2015Cantor to the daily chapel. Conductor of the Seminary Choir.
Director of Worship
Aug 2008 - Feb 2015Organist for all congregational liturgies. Conductor of the Chorus, Choristers, and Junior Choristers. Organist for Bach Society Houston
Seminary Musician
Jul 1990 - Jun 2008Organist for daily chapel; Director of the Seminary Choir; Instructor of applied organ, service playing, and courses in hymnody and church music.
Education
Master of Music, Choral Conducting
Sep 1987 - Jun 1989Bachelor of Music, Organ Performance
Sep 1983 - Jun 1987Languages
English
German
Affiliations
Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
Aug 1989The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians is a service and professional organization dedicated to strengthening the ministry of worship and music in the Lutheran church. ALCM serves through a wide range of publications, conferences, and local, regional, and national events. Membership is drawn from all major Lutheran bodies and is open to all church musicians, pastors, congregations, and lay people who share the goals of the organization.
+ Read MoreAmerican Guild of Organists
Sep 1983The mission of the American Guild of Organists is to enrich lives through organ and choral music. To achieve this we: 1. Encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music 2.Inspire, educate, and offer certification for organists and choral conductors 3. Provide networking, fellowship, and mutual support 4.Nurture future generations of organists 5. Promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles; and 6. Engage wider audiences with organ and choral music.
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7 Reviews
Write a ReviewMark is a treasure. After our daughter’s very first organ lesson, she adopted better practice techniques and keener musical interpretation skills. Mark is witty, kind, personable, generous, and of course talented. He is a role model both as a musician and as a person. A. also started taking voice lessons with Mark, and her growth both as a singer and as an organist has been exponential as a result. We count ourselves fortunate to know Mark, and we are grateful that he is our daughter’s teacher.
+ Read MoreI love learning from Mark! He's upbeat and kind, and has an unbelievable breadth of skill and knowledge. He has a lot of patience, which is comforting as I've never played before. He explains things in a way that is easy to understand. He can pick up on my frustrations and has a variety of ways to help me move forward without being tedious. It's so much fun to learn from him!
+ Read MoreI am thrilled with not only Mark's talent, experience and skills, but his ability to assess my needs and deficiencies. His solutions and remedies are stated with the most calm and disarming manner. I learned a great deal in five lessons; so much that my pedalling technique has built my level of confidence!
+ Read MoreSome teachers teach you how to read black dots on a page. Others help you to make music beyond the printed page. Having studied with Mark for a number of years, I can attest to Mark's ability not only as a fabulous musician himself, but as a teacher who helps others go "off the page" to discover the heart of musical expression. He is a gift!
+ Read MoreMark is a very gifted teacher, patient and eager to share his vast knowledge in a natural way that students respond well to. Takes time to explain subject material and reasons for teaching methods. He goes the extra mile and his passion for music is contagious and evident. He is an excellent teacher and we are lucky to have him.
+ Read MoreMark is an excellent educator whose instruction was always appropriate for my level, yet pushed me to greater heights. He provided me with the tools I needed to continue to develop as a musician and to build up my skills quickly. A loving, caring person, Mark cares about the whole student and I count the time spent with him as some of the best investment I've made in myself.
+ Read MoreMark has been my teacher and mentor for over half of my life, and I could never have asked for a better teacher. He gave me tools to succeed in private study and as a professional musician. He taught me to practice well and inspired my career path. Mark has an incredible capacity to identify his students' weaknesses and turn them into strengths. He will expect much of you and you will be better for it.
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