Mark was born in Rochdale, Lancashire on the 21st August 1963. At the age of 6 he moved to Marple in Cheshire. As a tiny baby he was completely fascinated by music he would rock and move to it's beat and showed an aptitude for the piano as soon as he could reach the keyboard. Upon his move to Cheshire, he was already an accomplished pianist for his age. As a child he was surrounded by music and theatrical activities.

He started his formal music training at six years of age, by studying the piano and was introduced to the classical organ at the age of 11 he was also a keen Church chorister. His love of Church music led him to attend many residential courses. As a head chorister with the Royal School of Church music he was offered a place to train at the famous Rossall Public School, Fleet wood, Lancashire.

He grasped the opportunity, and immersed himself in music almost 24 hours a day. Mark: Practice and study was never work for me, I enjoyed doing it and was happy to combine hobby and profession. My parents did not have a problem with making me practice, quite the opposite they had to lure me away from the piano, so that I would do other things (i.e. sleep).

 Mark was later accepted as a pupil by Marion Lowe, herself a principle of the  Sadler's Wells Opera company, however he still had a love of modern music form  and studied modern contemporary music, jazz and musicology with Charles Smitton, who was a well-known broadcasting musician for the BBC at that time.

 ALL OF HIS CONCERTS WAS PERFECT - HE LEFT NOTHING TO CHANCE

At age 11 he came across his first organ, his passion for this instrument had begun and he mastered the instrument in no time and it was soon to influence his life and future career. He recorded his first radio broadcast aged 12 in a series of BBC radio programmes for keyboard enthusiasts called Pedals, Percussion and Pipes, presented by the well-known broadcaster and journalist Alan Ash ton. This opportunity opened the door for numerous recording sessions for the BBC and other commercial radio stations. He won a national talent competition and appeared at the famous London Palladium, shortly after his 13th birthday Mark qualified for his cap and gown at the London College Of Music by the age of 15 where he won prizes for obtaining highest marks in the various grades.

Even at this stage Mark was no stranger to the concert platform and soon realized it was necessary to acquire a more theatrical approach to his presentation. He was accepted into the Bray side International Stage School, where he later became an associate member, by the age of 16 Mark had won a number of music competitions, when the late Ken Jones managing director of 'Electro Voice Ltd.' the U.K. importer of Wersi organs, spotted him and offered him a contract to play the their instruments. Mark then left home to live in London with Mr. Jones and his wife Betty, where they had a recording studio built in their home where he could work without disruption.

During this period he learned a great deal about the music world and became well known nationally, touring the UK giving organ concerts to packed houses on the Wersi Helios and Galaxy organs, instruments among others on which he made 5 recordings.  He added to his qualifications by obtaining a licentiate of the college by his 17th birthday. On the day of his 18th birthday he played to a full house in a concert named 'Organs On Sunday' On the Wersi Helios organ at the famous London Barbican Centre, on the eve of the show he was interviewed live by, Brian Mathews, who has been something of a national institution on B.B.C. national radio for over a quarter of a century.

During this period he became very friendly with Mr. Brian Price of Cressbeam who was
an electronics expert, organ builder, repairer and extremely computer literate. Brian taught him a great deal about the construction of the electronic organ and computers
in general, the knowledge he gained at this stage was to stay with him throughout his career. He quickly became known for spectacular performances with highly musical arrangements and perfect playing technique. Large mirrors were positioned on stage in order that the audience could see his superb fingering technique and theatrical showmanship more clearly. He combined show extracting i.e. 'Phantom of the Opera'
With lighting effects and humour to create a fascinating experience. Mark once said in an interview with 'Manual Magazine' Music is atmosphere, it must fit in its environment. For me 'Concert' is a total mixture, contrast. Contact with the audience is important for me.

The music press voted Mark top in the categories of 'The International Organ personality'  of the year and production of 'Best electronic Organ Record' his meteoric rise to the top rank of performers was a tribute to the hard work and determination which Mark applied to every aspect of his music and presentation. Throughout, his pursuit of perfection was relentless this attitude coupled with painstaking attention to detail was truly phenomenal. He was extremely self critical, did not like to listen to his own records and said that during recording sessions was always close to madness. As soon as he had completed one project he turned to the next one.