Mark fulfils a demanding schedule nationally and internationally as an examiner, composer, adjudicator, curriculum writer, masterclass teacher, and workshop presenter. His dedication and passion are the driving force behind Encore Music Education and Accent Publishing.
Mark had the privilege of studying piano with Dr Max Olding AM at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. His other distinguished teachers included Pamela Page and David Bollard. Mark graduated from the Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Music degree (distinction) in both Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy. He also received the award for the Most Outstanding Graduate. Postgraduate qualifications include a Graduate Diploma in Music (pedagogy), a Graduate Diploma in Further Education and Training, and a Master of Music.
In 1983 Mark co-founded and directed one of Australia’s largest and most successful music schools. Following that success, he joined the staff of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) where he directed the keyboard/piano ensemble and passed on his considerable expertise in the subject areas of piano performance, music technology, keyboard harmony, aural training and musicianship studies.
In 1997 Mark established Encore Music Education and Accent Publishing with Morna Robinson. Their most recent collaboration to produce Kinder Beat® won an Australian Music Association award in 2010. Kinder Beat continues to set a new global benchmark for early childhood music education. In addition to Kinder Beat, Mark has written and collaborated to produce over 30 music publications. The most notable series includes Encore on Keys, Theory Wiz and Encore on Strings. These publications are widely used throughout Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia and the United Kingdom.