Music Educator
Mark offers private musicianship lessons to both professional and amateur musicians ages four and up. Contact him via the email below for more details.
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a professional singer who came to Mark to sharpen my sight-singing and musicianship skills. Mark is a brilliant musician whose passion for teaching makes lessons with him both fun and challenging. He has an uncanny ability to present concepts from diverse perspectives, utilizing a creative array of visual, vocal, auditory and written exercises. I appreciate his unique teaching style and believe it would appeal to a wide range of learning styles and musicianship levels.” – Peg Lisi, Professional Singer and Soloist with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus
“Learning from Mark is such a treat. I am starting to grasp foundational parts of music theory that before seemed confusing. He breaks down complex topics into pieces I can understand. He also addresses topics from multiple directions, so that I understand them not only in my mind but my body. When I am in a lesson with Mark, I always feel supported, as though the lesson is tailored to meet my particular needs. It’s a wonderful learning environment!” – Emily Shumway, Professional Musician, and Music Educator
“Mark can play more instruments than I even knew existed! If you hum a song Mark can tell you what the notes are. In music class, we play a lot of games, like games that teach you the beat. The class is fun because Mark is pretty silly and the songs are fun.” – Scarlet, age 7
“My favorite part of music lessons is when Mark and I play a duet on the piano. Especially the raindrop song. I also learned that each note has a different feeling. Like how “Mi” is the happiest of all and “Ti” is super uncomfortable and the screamiest.” – Phoebe, age 4
“Mark is a wonderful teacher! Wanting to deepen my knowledge and appreciation for music I have begun private lessons with Mark and find him to be infinitely patient, supportive and very inventive in ways to help me learn sight singing, rhythm as well as harmonics. Each lesson helps me build skills, confidence and is quite enjoyable.” – Kathy Obrien, Amateur Choral Singer
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- Music Teacher – Busy Bee Preschool. (2019 – Present)
- Music Teacher and Choral Director – The Renaissance International School. (2017 – 2018)
- Guest Lecturer – U.C.L.A. Music Doctorate Program. (2017 – Present)
- Private Music Teacher – Private musicianship lessons with children and adults. (2012 – Present)
- Music Teacher – Creative Arts Charter School, San Francisco, CA Head of music program for grades 6, 7, and 8. (Autumn ’08 – Summer ’09)
- Music Teacher – Park Day School, Oakland, CA. Ran K-6 music program. (Autumn ’01 – Summer ’03)
- Music Teacher – French American international School and International High School, San Francisco, CA. Developed and ran grades 4 – 12 music program. (Autumn ’96 – Summer ’98)
- Theater Director/Music Director – Sir Francis Drake High School, San Anselmo, CA. Created and directed interdisciplinary performance piece with group of 33 juniors and seniors. (Winter ’97)
- Theater Director/Music Director – Aim High at Urban School of San Francisco. Created and directed interdisciplinary performance piece with Junior High Students. (Summer ’96)
- Music and Movement Specialist – Synergy Elementary School, San Francisco, CA. Head of music program grades K – 6. (Spring ’93 –Summer ‘97)
- Music and Movement Specialist – Noe Valley Nursery School, San Francisco, CA. Taught ages 2 – 5 music and movement with a focus on developing gross motor skills and a strong sense of rhythm in a playful environment. (Autumn ’95 – Summer ‘97)
- Music Director – Redwood High School, Larkspur, CA. Redwood Theater Creations production of Shakespeare’s ” Comedy of Errors”. (Winter ’96)
- Music Teacher/Director, Circus/Performance Arts Teacher – The Urban School of San Francisco. Including instrument building, community music making, composing, improvisation, clown, juggling, and stiltwalking. Teach high school students. (Autumn ’92 – Summer ’96)
- Music Teacher, Circus/Performance Arts Teacher and Camp Counselor – Camp Winnarainbow. Taught Irish tin whistle, didgeridoo, music exploration, jazz improv, juggling and other performance skills to children and adults. Was responsible for a group of 7-8 boys 6 – 10 years old as a camp counselor. (Summer ’92)
COMMUNITY SINGS WITH MARK GROWDEN
As a community, we will sing songs from various folk traditions from around the world, including gospel songs from the American South, Irish ballads, and South African part songs, as well as songs composed by Growden and other contemporary composers specifically to be sung by groups.
Community Sings can last for 15 minutes to 1 ½ hours and can accommodate 5 to 300 participants.
To book Mark for singing workshops email him at info@markgrowden.org.