Circle City Chorale is pleased to welcome Mark Peterson, M.A., M.M., as our Artistic Director.
Mark brings decades of experience as a conductor, educator, accompanist, vocal coach, composer, and arranger. He began studying piano at age 6, violin at age 9, and music composition at age 14. As a young musician, he won two Chopin Piano Awards and became the primary piano accompanist at California Lutheran at age 17. From 1980 to 1982, he toured internationally as a keyboardist with Maverick International.
Mark earned teaching credentials in English and Choral Music and went on to teach both subjects at the high school level. He earned a Master of Arts in Philosophy, with an emphasis in aesthetics and the philosophy of music, from California State University, Long Beach in 1994. He later earned a Master of Music in Composition from CSU Long Beach in 2004.
His studies in choral conducting have included work with Dr. James Vail of USC, Dr. Thomas Miyake of CSU Los Angeles, and Dr. Lynn Bielefelt of CSU Long Beach.
From 2000 to 2018, Mark worked at Cypress College as a staff accompanist, instructor, and vocal coach. He is also an accomplished composer and arranger. Among his original works is the fully orchestrated musical drama A New Nation, which has been professionally performed multiple times.
Mark has continued to share his love of music through his work with churches, synagogues, and community ensembles throughout Southern California. He also serves as Director of the San Clemente Choral Society.