About Mark Salcedo

As an alternative to a dry list of facts, below is a brief narrative history describing highlights of musically related experiences.

Early Years

Music education began around age 6 in Southern California under parental instruction from a UCLA-trained music professional. Classical training continued with private instructors until age 23, notably with Joseph Ogle, a Juilliard-trained composer and teacher.

Between ages 14 and 19, several talent competitions were won through Youth Opportunities United, a national youth organization. In 1979, victories at local, district, and regional levels earned a place in the national competition at Pasadena's Ambassador Auditorium — renowned internationally as "one of the world's most beautiful and acoustically perfect halls." A performance of Rachmaninoff's Prelude in G minor took place on the same 9-foot German Steinway Concert Grand Piano used by Arthur Rubinstein, Vladimir Horowitz, and Victor Borge.

Ambassador College in Texas (early 1980s) provided theological studies while serving as college concert choir accompanist, dance band director, and assistant to Dr. Roger Bryant, the music department head. A memorable performance included Handel's Messiah, complete with a full chamber orchestra.

After College

Following a 1983 theology degree, a 30-year career in Information Technology began, though musical practice never stopped. Piano solos by Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, and others were performed at annual regional conferences across America, sometimes before audiences of 10,000 or more. A complete 1988 performance of Brahms's German Requiem stands among the notable accomplishments of this period. Church choir direction continued in California, Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina from 1985 onward.

In 2000, membership at Perimeter Church (Presbyterian Church in America) in Johns Creek, Georgia began. Choir leadership involvement there provided exposure to contemporary worship music through collaboration with musicians whose influence extends across contemporary Christian worship.

Back to College

With children becoming independent, a calling emerged to develop musical talents further for broader service. Seeking a teacher for renewed formal piano study, study with Mrs. Nancy Goff Arnold — a former student of Heinrich Gebhard, Dean of American Piano Teachers and long-time pianist of the Boston Symphony — proved transformative. Her guidance deepened musical development and graciously laid the groundwork for a teaching career of his own. Within months, piano instruction at the Academy of the Arts at Perimeter Church began, quickly building a studio of more than 20 students.

Believing "the church has a great role to play in the arts," formal credentials became important. In 2009, part-time college studies began at Georgia Perimeter College, eventually transferring to the University of Georgia. Notable instructors included Dr. Jui-Wen Chen (Piano), Dr. Tamara Harper (Voice), Dr. Evgeny Rivkin (Piano), Dr. Johanna Royo (Voice), Dr. Daniel Bara (Chorus & Conducting), and Dr. Roy Legette (Music Education). A Bachelor of Arts in Music was completed in May 2015 after six years of part-time study while maintaining full-time employment.

Currently serving as rehearsal accompanist for Perimeter Church's choir and teaching piano, opportunities for musical service continue to grow.