Biography

Mark studied viola at the Royal College of Music Junior Department with Peter Lewis and Penny Filer before completing his bachelor’s degree at the Royal College of Music with Jonathan Barritt. Following a successful application, Mark studied with Czech violist Jan Peruška at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague for six months as part of his undergraduate degree. Mark was commended for his performances in the 2011 and 2013 Royal College of Music viola competitions.

Mark is a keen chamber musician and has performed recitals throughout London and the South East. He has performed numerous concertos, including Telemann’s Viola Concerto with Solistes de Musique Ancienne and Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante with Ensemble Lunaire.

Mark has played principal viola with many orchestras, including the Young Musician’s Symphony Orchestra, London Firebird Orchestra, the London Beethoven Project and Orchestra Vitae, performing at venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Barbican Centre, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields and LSO St Lukes.

Mark was recently offered a position in the Macao Orchestra in China, working with them in September and October 2014, and has played with the London Concert Orchestra and Mozart Festival Orchestra.

QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS

What is your most embarrassing musical moment?
Whilst studying at a music school in Prague, I practised for about two hours in a laundry room by mistake when I didn’t understand the directions the Czech security guard had given me to the actual practice rooms.

What’s on your playlist right now?
I’ve been listening to all of the Mahler symphonies a lot recently. I’m also a big Ed Sheeran fan and have been listening to his most recent album, too.

Tell us something about yourself that might surprise us.
I once had an arm wrestle with Chris Eubank on a train from London to Eastbourne.