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MARK RAMSAY

Conductor, educator & pianist
  • MARK RAMSAY

    Conductor, educator, and pianist

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ABOUT MARK

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Conductor, educator, and pianist

Dr. Mark Ramsay is Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Choral Activities at Western University’s Don Wright Faculty of Music. In addition to his teaching duties at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, he is the conductor of Western University Singers. He is also the artistic director of Toronto’s award-winning Exultate Chamber Singers and the editor of Choirs Ontario’s publication, Dynamic. He frequently appears as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician. Prior to his appointment at Western University, Dr. Ramsay was an Adjunct Professor and conductor of the Tenor/Bass Choir at University of Toronto, Faculty of Music. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting from U of T where he was a student of Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt. Before moving to Toronto, Mark completed his Bachelor of Music Education (piano) at UPEI, worked for ten years as a high school music teacher and curriculum specialist in Summerside, and was the music director at Trinity United Church and conductor of the Summerside Community Choir.

EDUCATION

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2015- 2018

Doctor of Musical Arts (Choral Conducting)

University of Toronto | Toronto, ON

Dissertation:

A Conductor’s Guide to Tenor/Bass Choral Music by Canadian Composers

Recognition:

Ontario Graduate Scholarship – 2016

Elmer Iseler National Graduate Fellowship in Choral Conducting – 2015, 2017

U of T Fellowship – 2015, 2017

2013- 2015

Master of Music (Choral Conducting)

University of Toronto | Toronto, ON

Course Highlights:

  • Vocal-Choral Pedagogy for Conductors
  • Advanced Choral Conducting
  • Orchestral Conducting

Recognition:

U of T Fellowship – 2013, 2014

1998- 2003

Bachelor of Music Education (Piano)

University of Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown, PEI

Course Highlights:

  • Special Studies in Collaborative Piano
  • Elementary Music Education Methods
  • Secondary Music Education Methods

Recognition:

The Mary O. Kinch Prize in Music Education for the graduating student in the Bachelor of Music Education Program who, in the opinion of the Music Faculty, shows exceptional promise and ability for a career in teaching.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

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Conducting

Choral and Instrumental

Conductor/Instructor
Western University Singers, Western University – Sept. 2020 – present

Artistic Director
Exultate Chamber Singers, Toronto – Sept. 2018 – present

Conductor/Instructor
Tenor/Bass Choir, University of Toronto – June. 2015 – April 2020

Conductor/Instructor
Concert Choir, U of T Scarborough – Sept. 2018 – April 2020

Conductor
MNjcc Community Choir, Toronto – Sept. 2017 – April 2020

Assistant Conductor and Pianist
Exultate Chamber Singers, Toronto – Sept. 2014 – June 2018

Student Conductor
Elmer Iseler Singers, Toronto – May 2017

Conductor/Instructor
Concert Choir, U of T Scarborough – Sept. 2016 – April 2017

Conducting Fellow
Canadian Chamber Choir, NS and PEI tour – August 2016

Assistant Conductor and Pianist
Men’s Chorus, University of Toronto – Sept. 2013 – April 2015

Apprentice Conductor
Ontario Youth Choir – Ottawa, Midland, Toronto – Aug. 2014

Choral Conducting Symposium
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON – July 2014

Director of Music
Trinity United Church, Summerside PEI – Jan. 2012 – Aug. 2013

Music Director
Summerside Community Choir – Jan. 2010 – June 2013

Guest Conducting:

  • Nova Voce, Nova Scotia Tenor/Bass Festival (NS) ­– February 2019
  • MNjcc Community Choir, Spring Concert (ON) – June 2017
  • Massed Choir, High Cs Choral Festival (NS) – May 2017
  • Concert Choir, University of Prince Edward Island (PE) – April 2013
  • Massed Choir, High Cs Choral Festival (NS) – May 2012

University Level Teaching

Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Choral Activities

Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Choral Activities
Choirs in Response to Community Music 3860a

Choral Literature and Techniques Music 3832b

Capstone Project Music 9599a (Co-Instructor)

Directed Study Music Education 9580b

Western University – Aug. 2020 – present

Adjunct Professor
Applied Music, Graduate Choral Conducting

Choral Music Education EMU330Y

Choral Area Administrator
University of Toronto – Sept. 2018 – April 2020

Course Instructor
Choral Music Education EMU330Y
University of Toronto – Sept. 2016 – April 2018

Teaching Assistant
Keyboard Skills EMU207Y1
University of Toronto – Sept. 2017 – April 2018

University of Toronto – Sept. 2014 – April 2015

Co-Facilitator
EDU 424: Curriculum in the Early Years
Faculty of Education, University of Prince Edward Island – Fall 2011

Adjudicating

Choral and Piano

Kings County Music Festival (PE) Piano/Voice – upcoming May 2021

Peel Music Festival (ON) Choral – April 2020 (canceled due to COVID-19)

Toronto Catholic District School Board Festival (ON) Choral – April 2020 (canceled due to COVID-19)

New Brunswick Competitive Festival of Music (NB) Choral – April 2019

MusicFest Canada Nationals (ON) Choral (sub. adjudicator) – May 2018

Queens County Music Festival (PE) Junior Piano – May 2018

East Prince Music Festival (PE) Piano/Voice/Choral – May 2018

Ontario Music Festival Association Prov. Finals (ON) Choral – May 2016

Kings County Music Festival (PE) Piano – May 2016

Atlantic Festivals of Music (NS) Choral – April 2016

Queens County Music Festival (PE) Junior Piano – May 2015

West Prince Music Festival (PE) Piano/Voice/Choral – April 2015

Kings County Music Festival (PE) Piano and Instrumental – May 2013

Queens County Music Festival (PE) Junior Piano – May 2012

Clinician

Choral

Choral Gold, Orillia Vocal Ensemble (ON) – May 2020 (canceled due to COVID-19)

Worthington Christian High School Choir (OH) – April 2020 (canceled due to COVID-19)

Greenville High School Choir (MI) – April 2020 (canceled due to COVID-19)

Vocala Honour Choir Clinic (NS) – April 2020 (canceled due to COVID-19)

Southview High School Choir (OH) – March 2020 (canceled due to COVID-19)

Hagerty High School Choir (FL) – March 2020 (canceled due to COVID-19)

Memphis Central High School Choir (TN) – March 2020

Humberside Collegiate School Choirs (ON) – March 2020

St. Roch Catholic Secondary School Chamber Choir (ON) – February 2020

Treblemakers Adult Community Choir (ON) – November 2019, May 2019, October 2018, June 2018

St. Gregorios at Lakeview Orthodox Church Choir (ON) – October/November 2020

McMaster University Concert Choir (ON) – October 2019

newchoir (ON) ­– September/October 2019

Mississauga Summer Chorale (ON) – July 2019

U of T High School Choral Festival (ON) – April 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

St. Mary’s Treblemakers High School Choir (ON) – April 2019

Chardon High School Choir (OH) – April 2019

Walled Lake Central High School Choir (MI) – March 2019

St. Mary’s Memorial High School Choir (OH) – November 2018

Confederation Centre Young Company (PE) – July 2018

Soundtrax, Halifax High School Honour Choir (NS) – May 2018

Licking Heights High School Choir (OH) – February 2018

The Country Day School Music Camp (ON) – September 2017

Sydney High School Choir (OH) – April 2017

MNjcc Community Choir (ON) – March 2017

St. Roch Catholic Secondary School Vocal Classes (ON) – February 2017

Sirens Women’s Choral Ensemble (PE) – December 2016

Woodstock High School Choir (NB) – April 2016

South Lyon High School Choir (MI) – April 2016

Montpelier High School Show Choir (ON) – March 2016

Public School Teaching

Music Director and Classroom Teacher

Music Director, Fine Arts Department Lead, Teacher
Three Oaks Senior High School, Summerside, PEI – 2003 – 2010

Educational Leadership

Curriculum Specialist and Coordinator

Acting Curriculum Coordinator
English Programs, PEI Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Nov. 2012 – Feb. 2013

Curriculum Support Specialist
English Programs, PEI Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Oct. 2010 – Aug. 2013

Piano

Instruction and Performance

Private Piano Instructor 2000 – present 

Collaborative Pianist 1998 – present 

Administrative

Tour Manager

National Youth Choir of Canada
2014 Maritime Tour – April 2014 – June 2014

Theatre

Musical and Stage Director

  • You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Indian River Festival, PEI (2011) – Director and Pianist
  • Twenty Somethings, The Guild, Charlottetown, PEI (2011) – Pianist
  • Songs for a New World, Indian River Festival, PEI (2010) – Director and Pianist
  • Evita, Confederation Centre of the Arts, Charlottetown, PEI (2009) – Director

SKILLS

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Educator

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Adjudicator

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Conductor

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Pianist

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Clinician

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Presenter

SCHEDULE

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Adjudicating

2021 Kings County Music Festival

May 2021

Montague, Prince Edward Island
More info: http://www.peikiwanismusicfestival.ca/kings-county/

CONTACT ME

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