Mark SCHWEIZER

A native of Florida, Mark Schweizer received music degrees from Stetson University in Deland, Florida and the University of Arizona including a doctoral degree in vocal performance. He returned to teach at Stetson University from 1982 to 1985 followed by eight years as director of the opera workshop at Louisiana College where he also taught theory and composition. While in Louisiana, he founded and directed Red River Opera for its first three seasons.

As a bass-baritone, Dr. Schweizer has performed with regional opera companies across the country, in solo recital, and in oratorio including appearing as the bass soloist with Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

Mark currently lives in Kentucky where he serves as director of St. James Music Press. He is the author of three mystery novels: The Alto Wore Tweed, The Baritone Wore Chiffon and The Tenor Wore Tapshoes, three Christmas opera librettos, and several children's musicals. His published musical compositions , which can be found in the catalogs of Concordia Publishing House, H.T. Fitzsimmons, Lorenz, and St. James Music Press, include anthems, larger choral works, instrumental compositions and a children's opera "Goldilocks and the Three Bears", an operatic in-formance featured on NBC Nightly News.