Mark Deeks

Rehearsal Pianist and Accompanist

Mark has worked as Course Leader for Music at New College Durham since 2004, where he specialises in performance, music theory and arranging. He holds the Diploma of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in piano teaching, but in 2009 he brought to an end 15 years of piano teaching in order to start a PhD with the University of Leeds, looking at National Heritage, History and Mythology in Heavy Metal. One of Mark’s career highlights was conceiving a project that involved Tony Kakko, vocalist of Finnish metal stars Sonata Arctica, performing Mark’s arrangements of some of Sonata Arctica’s material at The Sage Gateshead with an orchestra and a choir of over 300 singers in April 2008.

Mark is Inspiration’s rehearsal pianist. He has also contributed a number of choral arrangements for their concerts and has worked alongside Gary since 2003. Comfortable working in any style of music, Mark has built up a wealth of experience as a performer, musical director, singer-songwriter and arranger. He regularly performs as a jazz pianist and his debut solo album of folk-influenced, acoustic songs is out now. Please visit www.markdeeksmusic.com, www.piano-player-newcastle.co.uk or www.pianoplayerforhire.blogspot.com for more details.