MARK

I have been passionate about music for as long as I can remember. I grew up in Brisbane, Australia, and throughout my schooling at Padua College and St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace, I threw myself into all available musical opportunities, taking lessons in Singing, Piano and Saxophone. After studying Voice and Opera at the Queensland Conservatorium, I trained as a teacher at the University of Queensland. In 2006, I moved to the UK to build my career. Since 2010, I have worked as an examiner, paper setter, trainer and consultant for a major examination board in relation to GCSE, A Level and other international syllabuses.

I hold a Bachelor of Music (Voice), a Bachelor of Music Studies with First Class Honours, a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and a Master of Education (Leadership and Management) with Distinction.

Teaching Experience

I am currently Director of Music at a leading prep school, where I teach from Year 4 to Year 8 and lead various ensembles, including the choir, orchestra and jazz band. Previously, I was Head of Junior Music at an excellent school in South-West London, and before that, Head of Music at a leading independent senior school in South-West London, teaching students through KS3, GCSE and A Level/Pre-U. Therefore, I have taught from Reception to Year 13, giving me an excellent understanding of assessment and progression at any stage. I have had excellent success preparing students for Music Scholarships and, when I worked in the senior sector, with university preparation.

I have extensive experience teaching music (academic, performing and composing) to people of all ages and with a wide range of musical tastes, one-to-one and in small and large groups. I have high standards, but also strive to understand how a student learns best, tailoring instruction and support to work best for them.

Interests

I love cooking, travelling and languages; I am fluent in French and have a good working knowledge of Italian and German. I enjoy going to the cinema and, when time allows, the theatre. I enjoy singing with my school’s choral society as well as occasional evensongs in the ‘back row’ as part of the Chorister Programme. I also love puzzles, whether they involve words or not!