Violin/Piano
- B.M., Illinois Wesleyan University
- M.M., University of Michigan
Mark Portolese received a Bachelor of Music in Orchestral Instrument Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Illinois Wesleyan University. There he studied violin with Vadim Mazo and piano with Lawrence Campbell. He also received a Masters in Music in Violin Performance and Chamber Music from the University of Michigan where he studied violin with Stephen Shipps and piano with Louis Nagel.
Mark Portolese is an active violinist and pianist in the Western Michigan area. As violinist, he is Associate Concertmaster of the South Bend Symphony and was a featured soloist with the orchestra in March 2009. He is also Associate Principal Second Violin of the West Michigan Symphony, a member of the Kalamazoo Symphony, and a substitute member of the Grand Rapids Symphony. He has been a substitute violinist of both the Opus IV String Quartet and the Arioso Trio. As pianist, Mark is a member of the Crescendo Faculty Trio with Sarah Hedlund (violin) and Luke Cook (cello). He is a staff accompanist for the ballet courses at Western Michigan University and has also accompanied students in such events as the All-State Solo-Ensemble Contest and the Stulberg Competition Master classes. He is an instructor and accompanist for Crescendo, and, through Crescendo, the instructor for the Vicksburg String Program.
