MARK MATTHEWS

Mark was born in Wollongong in 1961. He studied piano, organ and singing and was National Champion in the Yamaha Electone Festival in 1979. He represented Australia in Japan where he was ranked in the world top ten that year.

In 1983 Mark graduated Engineering (Civil) (Hons) through the University of Wollongong and practiced as a Construction Engineer around New South Wales for 6 years before embarking on music as his full-time career. He gained his Diploma in Music through the Yamaha Music Foundation in 1988. He recently received an A.Mus.Ed and A.Comp (Hons) with the Australian Society of Musicology and Composition for his album “Music for the Heart and Soul”

Mark has been teaching piano and organ since 1980 and has taught 3 National Champions on Electronic Organ in 1985, 1995 and accompanied a student in 1996 to Kuala Lumpur for the Asia Oceania Finals.

He currently teaches at Wollongong TAFE in both the Certificate (iii) Music course, and Civil Engineering faculties. He teaches in his private studio, and is the resident peripatetic piano tutor at a local college in the Illawarra. As well as being a singer and composer Mark is an ABC radio presenter in the Illawarra where he can be heard regularly on Saturday breakfasts and weekday breakfast when required. He also performs regularly with the Illawarra Choral Society under the direction of the prolific Australian Composer Dr. Houston Dunleavy.

Mark has recorded three solo albums; Eyes Fixed on Jesus in 1990, Amazing Love Amazingly Live in 1993, Marked Man in 1997 and approximately 40 gospel songs. His composition "I Just Want to Worship You" was published by Resource Music in 1995 and gained national exposure in their widely distributed church compilations albums and print music. Mark toured Australia regularly with these albums for 7 years. His gospel CD's are available on line through AustralianComposers.com.au.

His works include, organ solos, piano solos, both blues and light contemporary and vocal and piano works.

Mark has recently launched Music for the Heart and Soul, an album of piano works on life, love and friendship, available in piano score and CD. This is an excellent tool for intermediate piano students or for teachers looking for some light contemporary piano solos to add to their library.

He is married to Christine and has two daughters, Sarah and Emily.

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