Johnmark In Performance
click here to hear: Handel’s Harmonious Blacksmith 
John Mark Harris plays an extensive range of keyboard music from the Renaissance to the present day. The Boston Globe referred to his performance of works by Scott Joplin as “forceful…finely shaded”; the Edinburgh Scotsman called his recital at Reid Hall, featuring Charles Ives’ monumental Concord Sonata, a “stunning performance”; andante.com cited his “exquisite touch and sensitivity” in a performance of the music of Cage; and his performance Xenakis’ Evryali was hailed as “astonishing” by the 20th Century Music Journal.
Debussy’s “The Engulphed Cathedral”
Harris has appeared as soloist (piano and harpsichord) at the Salzburg, Berlin, and Donaueschingen festivals with the Southwest German Radio Symphony and the Berlin Symphony, in performances of Czernowin’s Maim Gvim, Maim Zarim, for quintet, orchestra, and live electronics. The Donaueschingen performance is available on col lengo, and the Berlin performance is to be released on Mode Recordings.
Chopin Etudes, Op. 25, Nos. 1 (Aeolian Harp) and 2
At the Poznan, Poland festival “Ameryka Na Zamku: A Celebration of American Culture”, Harris played two recitals of American works at the Palace of Culture under sponsorship of the Polish-American Embassy. Other performances include an appearance as soloist with “red fish, blue fish” at the L.A. Philharmonic’s Green Umbrella Series; a solo recital at Greenwich House in New York, sponsored by the Abby Whiteside Foundation; Summer Fest La Jolla; the Summer Institute for Contemporary Piano Performance in Boston; and the Festival Internacional de Historia de la Mùsica in Mexico.
Cowell’s “The Harp of Life” performed on the special Bosendorfer Imperial Grand piano
Harris’ recording of Xenakis’ Oophaa, for harpsichord and percussion, is available on Mode Recordings. The Concerto After Rachmaninoff for piano and orchestra, composed by David Cope with the computer program Experiments in Musical Intelligence, is available on Centaur.
Harris holds degrees in performance from the University of California at San Diego (D.M.A), the New England Conservatory (M.M), and the University of South Florida (B.M.). He has received additional sponsorship for performance and study from Fondazione Giorgio Cini in Venice, the City of Poznan and the Poznan Supercomputing Center, the Abby Whiteside Foundation, theYvar Mikhashoff Trust for New Music, and the Hillsborough County Arts Council.
John Mark Harris plays an extensive range of keyboard music from the Renaissance to the present day. The Boston Globe referred to his performance of works by Scott Joplin as “forceful…finely shaded”; the Edinburgh Scotsman called his recital at Reid Hall, featuring Charles Ives’ monumental Concord Sonata, a “stunning performance”; andante.com cited his “exquisite touch and sensitivity” in a performance of the music of Cage; and his performance Xenakis’ Evryali was hailed as “astonishing” by the 20th Century Music Journal.
Testimonials
Darcy plays on his first recital. I like to sit on stage with my students.
I enjoy being a student of John Mark Harris because he is not so focused on entering all sorts of competitions to win and to gain titles. Unlike other kids I know, I am not pressured to quickly pass and skip levels or win competitions. Other piano teachers put so much pressure by being so strict and demanding of their students and making winning so important. Also, John will often tell me to do something different from what it says in the book, giving me more freedom when I play and making the music a little more interesting. He encourages me to experiment with the music and not follow the book exactly. That is one of the things I like most about him. He doesn’t restrict his students and has more compassion than other teachers. — Lynn Zhou
JM’s personalitiy/teaching style can be meshed with anyone. He can be dry for the fuddy duddys and lively for the loud mouthed exciting ones… He is great with kids, and maintains a “good sportsmanship” approach to help coach his students, as opposed to the typical strict…very regimented…very depressing and often overwhelming/intimidating teaching styles…He is able to make people want to learn more…He brings out the greatest strengths and creativity of individuals. — Johnna Janis
I’ve played the piano for 70 years and taken lessons from several teachers—none of which compare to John Mark. Lately, I’ve suffered with arthritis in my thumbs but it has disappeared since he introduced a different way of holding my hands while playing. The new approach has renewed my desire for playing and truly enjoying it without pain. I thank him for bring me back to the piano. —Elaine Lewis
Darcy has been taking piano lessons for several years, then he paused for some months while we searched for a teacher who could “fill in the missing holes” in Darcy’s piano experience, and also to draw out the potentials in him. John Mark has been our answer. Not only he’s a competent teacher, but his way of communicating with his student in a caring way has enhanced the learning experience for Darcy. Darcy likes and respects John Mark. We’re pleased with Darcy’s progress. — Lara Wuhrmann
JM is a well-balanced teacher, showing me both the discipline and whimsy of proficient and enjoyable piano playing. JM’s substantive knowledge of music history adds further depth to my lessons, which are often colored with anecdotes about a composer’s life. It is this eclectic blend of lessons with JM that make him an inspiring piano teacher and one who adds great dimension to my life. — Ronda Schreiber, PhD; Vice President, Research, Minnow Medical
John Mark has taught all three of my children. He works well with the young beginner, the intermediate and the advanced student, and incorporates a wide variety of music appealing to my kids’ varied tastes. I’m impressed by their level of proficiency, and look forward to hours of musical pleasure ahead. — Jennifer Anklesaria
I took piano lessons twice a month with John Mark Harris for over a year and was very pleased with my progress. John Mark is very patient, encouraging, and knowledgeable about music. He makes excellent suggestions on how to approach and interpret a musical piece, and his feedback is always positive and helpful. John Mark is a wonderful, talented pianist himself and I would recommend him wholeheartedly to any piano student. — Diana Vines