Mark Dickman - Assistant Course Leader

Mark Dickman studied piano, composition and conducting at the University of Southampton, during which time he was musical director for 'Showstoppers', musical theatre society and 'Jazzmanix'; a 150 strong Jazz and Gospel choir. After graduating in 2001 with honours, Mark completed a PGCE course in secondary music and taught in schools across Hampshire & East Sussex, in addition to his home town of Eastbourne.

Now based in Birmingham, Mark works as a freelance keyboards & piano player, musical director, accompanist, workshop leader, programmer, arranger and composer. His energetic work spans diverse musical genres, touring extensively throughout the UK in many provincial and regional venues.

In the theatre, musicals include: Wicked (Keys dep - Victoria Apollo, December 2006), Follies (Keys - Theatre Royal, Northampton, October-November 2006), Footloose (Keys dep - West End, 2006), The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas (Keys dep, 2005/2006 UK Tour), Whistle Down The Wind (Keys dep, 2004 UK Tour); ; Calamity Jane (Keys dep, 2003 UK Tour & West End); Barnum (Assistant Musical Director, Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne Theatres, 2003); Chance (Composer and Musical Director, Gardner Arts Centre, Brighton, 2003, Grassy Knoll Theatre); The Rock Nativity (Musical Director, 2001 Southern Tour); Into The Woods (Keyboards / Repeiteur, National Youth Music Theatre, Northcott Theatre, Exeter & Wimbledon Theatre, 1999), Arabian Nights (Keyboards, De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill, 1997/1998).

Mark is currently Musical Supervisor & Arranger for 'One From The Heart' (Wyvern Theatre, Swindon and the Camberley Theatre). Productions include: 'Cinderella' (2006-2007), 'Peter Pan' (2005-2006) and 'Jack & The Beanstalk (2004-2005). Other pantos include: Dick Whittington (Musical Director, Extravanganza Productions, Palace Theatre, Newark, 2003/2004).

Concerts / Cabaret: Masters Of The Musical (Keyboards, 2005/2006 UK Tours), Shugborough Music and Fireworks Weekend (Keyboards, City Concert Orchestra, 2005/2006), One Day More! A Celebration of Alain Boublil and Claude Michel Schoenburg; West End and Broadway (Rehearsal Pianist, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 2004); Beyond Broadway (Keyboards / Deputy Musical Director, 2004/2005 UK Tour); Jazz Revue (Musical Director, London gigs including Battersea Barge, 2003-2004); An Evening With David Jacobs (Featured Solo Piano, South East Arts, 2001); Children Of Crisis Charity Gala (Keyboards, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, 2000).

Workshops / Coaching: East Sussex Youth Choir (assistant course leader, August 2006), BSS Spotlight (Birmingham Hippodrome, 2005), Summer Holiday (Clear Channel Stage Experience, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, 2005), West Side Story (BMOS, Birmingham Hippodrome, 2004); Gantry Youth Theatre, Southampton; Eastbourne Stagers.

Keyboard Programming: Fiddler On The Roof (2006) & Promises, Promises (2005) for the Sheffield Crucible, Sex, Chips and Rock & Roll (Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, July 2005).

As score editor and arranger, Mark collaborates with Starshine Music, one of the leading UK educational publishers of musicals and songs for children - in addition to directing his own freelance company, MD Music Preparation, with clients including: Richard Stilgoe, Joe Longthorne, Camden Music, MusicSales, The Guildhall School Of Music And Drama, Simon May, Pete Thomas, KPM Music and Josef Weinberger Ltd.