Before moving to New York in 1997 Mark composed in the west coast dance scene. He received three commissions from the Oakland Ballet: Witness and The Emperor and The Nightingale choreographed by Michael Lowe plus Cactus on Mars (The Unraveling) choreographed by Mario Alonzo. Mark's long time collaboration with former Twyla Tharpe dancer John Malashock has resulted in four commissions: Departure of the Youngsters, Stan's Retreat, Apologies from the Lower Deck (garnering a choreographic EMMY from a KPBS documentary) plus Virtues in Bewilderment composed for the Arioso Wind Quintet. Mark has received grants and awards from Meet the Composer, Inc., the San Diego Arts Commission and the Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation. A CD collection of dance compositions, Cactus on Mars, has been recorded and released on the Thin Air record label. Mark has also toured and recorded with The Burnt Earth Ensemble, musicians playing entirely on experimental and ancient ceramic instruments. Mark's music is included in a CD and book documenting the history and performance of clay instruments from around the world: From Mud to Music by Barry Hall published by the American Ceramic Society. Mark's collection of flutes from around the world often make their way into his dance compositions, live performances and guest appearances. Mark also specializes in composing and arranging for school ensembles. He has worked as orchestrator/arranger for Walnut Creek Civic Arts Youth Orchestra as well as public and private schools in California, Oregon and New York. He received his BA in Music from California State University East Bay and his MA in Interdisciplinary Arts Education from San Francisco State University. Mark is the director of Middle School Bands and the High School Studio and Chamber Ensembles at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in New York.
This is all from Mark Attebery's websight: http://web.mac.com/m.attebery/m/Bio.html