Lessons Offered
Harpsichord, Organ, Piano
Where are Lessons Offered
In Teacher Studio
About Me
I provide piano, organ, and harpsichord lessons in my home studio for children age 6 through adults. As a teacher, I love to share the joy of making music with students of all ages, and I focus on developing a solid technique, good reading and rhythmic skills, and, above all, musicianship and musicality. I have been making music at the keyboard since my first piano lesson on my sixth birthday. Active in choral and instrumental ensembles throughout junior high and high school, I grew up playing piano and organ for church services and have since served as organist and/or choir director for churches in Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. I am currently Cantor (Organist/Choir Director) for Saint Paul Lutheran Church in downtown Denver, a position I have held since 2002. I also taught K-8 music for nine years in Chicago and have had numerous piano and organ students from ages four to ninety-four over the course of my career.
My Musical Education Background
Currently pursuing a doctoral degree in sacred music (DSM) through the Graduate Theological Foundation, I was awarded bachelor’s degrees in sacred music (BM) and music education (BME) from Oral Roberts University and master’s degrees in sacred music (MSM) and choral conducting (MM) from Southern Methodist University. I completed further study in the United States at Northwestern University, Westminster Choir College, Hamline University, the University of South Carolina, and DePaul University, from which he received the Level III Orff-Schulwerk Teaching Certificate, and in Europe at the Netherlands Carillon School, the Haarlem International Organ Academy, also in the Netherlands, and the Centro Pro Unione in Rome. I also hold a Colorado K-12 Music Teaching License, and I am an ordained Deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Genres and Subjects Taught
Beginning and Intermediate Piano Lessons
Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Organ Lessons
Beginning Harpsichord Lessons
Lesson Rates
My tuition rates are $30 for 30-minute lessons, $45 for 45-minute lessons, and $60 for 60-minute lessons. I currently accept cash or checks, and tuition is payable on a monthly basis beginning with the first lesson. Subsequently, tuition for the following month is payable at the final lesson of each month and will be billed in accordance with the number of weekly or biweekly lessons scheduled for the subsequent month, depending on whether or not it is a four- or five-week month. Make-up lessons for absences with 24-hours notice will be scheduled in accordance with the availability of both the student and the instructor. Tuition is not refundable, and there is a $35 fee for returned checks and a $15 late fee for tuition not paid by the first of the month.
Ages / Skill Levels Taught
Children age 6 through Adult
My Certifications and Awards
Level III Orff-Schulwerk Certification
Colorado K-12 Music Teaching License
Service Area
Student Reviews
Jess R
Aurora, CO
Mark is a phenomenal piano instructor. Our daughter has challenges with change, we moved to another city within the Denver area over a year ago and Mark made our daughter's transition between piano instructors really smooth. He is extremely patient and develops learning curriculum specific to our child's ability while still focusing on her enhancing her piano skills with each lesson. Mark is able to work with children at all levels, keeping them concentrated throughout the lessons, creates effective practice assignments between lessons and challenges them to continually improve. I would highly recommend you consider Mark as your piano instructor.
David
Lone Tree, CO
We highly recommend Mark for your family's music instruction. He is very talented & patient; and has a passion for exploring music with his students. Our 7 year olds are seeing music in a new & exciting way and we have Mark to thank for that.
Rana K
Englewood, CO
Mark is fantastic teacher and has a very easy going attitude. I just started learning, never played the piano. He is at once encouraging and demanding. I particularly like the little problem solvers he uses to break the pieces down to smaller chunks to tackle, far less overwhelming as a beginner.
Linda H
Aurora, CO
Mark has given me confidence to learn piano at a senior age. It has been so much fun! He adapts his teaching skills to my learning skills. He’s great!
Wendy D
Aurora, CO
He great. Professional, friendly and truly loves music.
Elizabeth I
Denver, CO
My kids (ages 9 and 12) and I have had a great experience learning piano from Mark. We are all beginners, and Mark has been a patient, encouraging, and fun teacher for all of us. Mark has a great depth of knowledge and experience, and shares music theory and practical tips that we can all embrace and apply. I highly recommend Mark!