Mark is an arts leader and administrator bringing together his leadership skills honed during his time as a school principal and his twelve years as part of the Opera Queensland senior Management team.

In September 2022 Mark moved to Adelaide to commence as the Executive Director of State Opera South Australia. This position sees Mark leading this major performing arts organisation which is a Statutory Authority under the Department of Premier and The Cabinet.

Mark’s work experience in addition to his formal learnings from a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Education in Leadership and management assist him to create and lead innovative performing arts experiences. As Director of Learning, Regional and Community, Mark oversaw the company’s education, community, regional touring, commercial and corporate work.

Mark led Project Puccini, a world-first initiative by Opera Queensland, in collaboration with eight regional Queensland cities, which gave hundreds of everyday people the opportunity to perform in the chorus of a new, professional staged production of La bohème. Nothing to this scale had ever been attempted before. Mark presented an abstract on this project at the 2015 International Arts Health Conference, subsequently being presented with an award for Excellence in Arts Health in Regional Australia.

In 2012 and 2013 Mark held the position of Chair of the Australia Council’s Major Performing Arts Education group.

Prior to his time at Opera Queensland, he was Principal of Stonehenge State School (2006-2007) and Lundavra State School (2008-2009), and has also held multiple elected positions within QASSP (Queensland Association of State School Principals). In 2009, Mark was a finalist in the QUT Outstanding Young Alumni awards and holds a Bachelor of Education degree (major in music) and a Master of Education (leadership and management).

What I do
I oversee and direct the company’s short and long-term financial activities to meet its goals

My favourite opera is…
Sweeney Todd

What I enjoy most about working at State Opera
The variety of people I meet and work with

When I’m not at work, I’m…
spending time with my husband and two children, volunteering at the cricket and swimming clubs and enjoy watching sports and playing board games

What I do
Try and make sure we make great music!

My favourite opera is…
The best thing about opera is the huge variety of styles, so it is impossible to pick one. From Monteverdi to Mozart, Verdi and Puccini, Britten and beyond, there’s so much great theatre. Will never tire of Verdi’s Falstaff and Puccini’s Turandot.

What I enjoy most about working at State Opera
A great team, wonderful people in the chorus, talent bursting out everywhere.

When I’m not at work, I’m…
Working in my other (not so secret) passion – Anglican choral music, at St Peter’s Cathedral.

What I do
I’m in charge of the production department. Stage management, set, props, lights, sound, wardrobe, surtitles, wigs and makeup all work for me. I manifest the ideas of the designers and directors into three-dimensional form on this astral plane.

My favourite opera is…
Always the one I’m working on now… I’m not being glib… One must buy into the ideas of each piece otherwise why do it?

What I enjoy most about working at State Opera
No day is ever the same

When I’m not at work, I’m…
Cooking for my wife and kids… or chasing my 7YO daughter around the golf courses of Australia.

My favourite opera is Götterdämmerung!

What I enjoy most about working at State Opera, sharing my knowledge and enjoyment of opera, which I inherited from my Dad.

When I’m not at work, I’m… cooking, travelling and listening to fine music

What I do
Finance, from payrolls to invoices and everything in between.

My favourite opera is…
The Merry Widow and Sweeney Todd.

What I enjoy most about working at State Opera
Working in a completely different field than I ever worked before: the arts industry is such an exciting one to be involved with!

When I’m not at work, I’m…
Eating and drinking in some of my favourite wineries in the Hills. In summer, you will find me by the pool and in winter, cuddling my two cats that I adore.

What I do:

I look after the office, all ticketing and everything in between. I am your first point of contact when you visit or call the office, need help booking tickets to one of our shows or just need some information. I also ensure that the office is running smoothly, everyone has what they need and generally help and support the team in any way that I can.

If it’s tickets that you want, I can help with your seating requirements, group bookings and everything in between from the start of the ticketing process to the end. You will also find me at the box office before our shows, there to help any of our patrons attending one of our performances.

What I enjoy most about working at State Opera… 

The people hands down, plus working in the Arts is so rewarding and no two days are the same. It’s a very collaborative environment and we all have fun while we work, which is a huge bonus.

When I’m not at work, I’m… 

Catching up with friends & family and I love travelling and experiencing new cultures, trying different foods either here at home, interstate or overseas. The world is getting smaller and smaller and it is amazing the people that you meet on your travels.