Who's Who at the Center for Young Musicians: Mark Marston

Mark Marston
 

Who’s Who at the Center for Young Musicians: Mark Marston

A new school year will mean new faces at the Center for Young Musicians! We are excited to announce that new teachers for piano, cello and guitar will be joining the CYM family, bringing unique experiences and solid training in music education. And as always, we happily look forward to greeting new students and their families.

To help everyone get to know each other a little better, we’ll be posting short bios on all the CYM teachers and staff.   Mark Marston, one of CYM’s longest running faculty members, first began teaching at the school after its opening in the mid-90s then returned in April 2003.

Guitarist Mark Marston received his Master’s and Bachelor of Music degrees from Duquesne University, where he studied classical guitar with Thomas Kikta and Dr. Aaron Shearer. While studying at Duquesne, Mark was the graduate assistant for both the Guitar and Music Technology Departments. He has received Suzuki teacher training though book 9 from Frank Longay, William Kossler, and David Madsen.

 

Prior to teaching at CYM, he had directed the Suzuki guitar and parent education programs at Sherwood Conservatory of Music in Chicago, and was part of the international team that prepared the music for books 5-9 in the Suzuki Guitar School for Warner Brothers. His articles have been published in Chicago Guitar and The American Suzuki Journal. Mark has served on the board of directors for guitar societies in Chicago and Pittsburgh.

 

While at Duquesne, Mark also studied sacred music and works regularly as a church musician at several parishes in the Pittsburgh area. He also performs programs specializing in sacred music, including many of his own arrangements. In recent years, Mark has performed and taught workshops in Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, West Virginia and Texas. He has been on the faculty of the Greater Pittsburgh Suzuki Institute for the past nine years. He has performed with the Pittsburgh Opera orchestra, Prime Stage Theatre, and regularly performs in the Pittsburgh area as a soloist and in a variety of chamber music groups.

 

This year at CYM, Mr. Mark teaches Guitar Group and private guitar lessons.

 

Q&A with CYM

 

CYM: Favorite piece of music to play and/or favorite composer?

Mr. Mark: Current favorite would be John Dowland, and his Fantasia from the Varietie of Lute Lessons.

 

CYM: Do you play other instruments other than the instrument you teach?

Mr. Mark: I play piano, electric guitar, bass, and lute (none as well as I play classical guitar).

 

CYM: Where and how do you listen to music for fun?

Mr. Mark: Usually on my SACD/DVD-Audio player that I have set up next to my exercise bike.

 

CYM: Most memorable music performance?

Mr. Mark: Paul McCartney's concert, the first event ever at Consol Energy Center.

 

CYM: Where do you live, and with whom do you share your home?

Mr. Mark: Live in Trafford, PA with my wife of 6 years, 16 year-old stepdaughter, and our cat.