
Since 1970, Mark has served the Bellingham School District, primarily as orchestra director at Bellingham High School, building his string program to over 100 members. Not only did he teach his students the value of musical skills, positive attitudes, collaborative effort and hard work, he also gave them performance opportunities to serve the community. During 25 of his teaching years Mark performed with a professional dance band; he also was orchestra and artistic director of the Pacific Rim Camp for the Arts and edited the Washington String Teachers’ Association newsletter. He served as an officer for the San Juan MEA, and was honored as the region’s 1996 Music Educator of the Year. He was WMEA chair for the All-State Orchestra in 1982 and 1994, and received the Woodring College Award for Professional Excellence from Western Washington University.