Meet the Music Team
Mark Markevich is the founder, CEO, and general manager of Markevich Creative Studio - Music. Originally from Latvia, Mark has studied music for 14 years, including 9 years at a music school (trumpet, piano, and vocals), 4 years at a music college (piano and vocals), and 1 year at a music academy (piano and vocals). He also has extensive knowledge and experience in contemporary drumming.
Mark has been a professional musician for over 20 years, performing with various bands (rock, jazz, pop, country, and Latin), orchestras, choirs, and ensembles. He has also done many solo performances and toured extensively throughout Europe and Russia, playing for large audiences of up to 20,000 people. As a European artist, Mark has won numerous provincial and federal music competitions and received multiple awards.
Since 2011, Mark has been teaching music lessons. He has taught piano, vocals, and drums at Music Centre Canada, piano and voice at GPRC Fine Arts Conservatory, and guitar, drums, piano, and vocals at his home studio. As CEO of Markevich Creative Studio, Mark has a strong vision and is passionate about seeing his students succeed, find joy in the creative process, and explore the endless world of music.
Mark Markevich
Department Head
Raised in Inuvik, NWT, Jason is a self-taught guitarist starting at the age of 10 and playing in band performances at 14. He has been pursuing his music career full time since 2010 and has been a part of various bands. His band BlackCloud released an album in 2016 with a music video production following it. For 30 years he has been active in his music career, with 10 years of teaching lessons to the next generation of musicians. He is active in the music scene of Grande Prairie and currently working on material for an upcoming release.
Jason
Instructor
Acoustic & Electric Guitar
Musical interest began at 8 years for Dave. With a piano in the home and supportive parents, his pursuit of music began. Through school, he played the trombone, learned theory, and sang in choir. Dave taught himself the guitar in his teen years and began playing with others and writing his own songs. Later he went on to teach guitar, bass, piano, harmonica, ukulele and mandolin. In his career, Dave has played in bands, wrote, and recorded music. He considers it an artform to express the self and connect with others. At the Markevich studio, Dave teaches techniques, chord styles, theory, and playing alongside other musicians. The greatest reward for him is to share the knowledge and enjoyment of the musical path.
Dave
Instructor
Guitar, Bass, Piano, Mandolin, Ukulele, Harmonica
Grace
Instructor
Piano, Cello, Drums
Grace is an accomplished musician instructing piano, drum and cello lessons at the Markevich Creative Studio. She had performed as an accompanist for University of Queen’s and served as a private accompanist for instrumental soloists. She earned her Bahelors of Music at Queen’s University in Ontario and went on to further her education at Booth University College and getting Advanced Leadership for Congregations. Her passion for music and community was instrumental when she worked as a pastor and leader for the church operations at the Salvation Army, including running children’s programs, private events, and community programs. Today she continues to share the passion and knowledge of music to her students at the Studio.
Ben is an Ontario-born musician and raised in a musical family of guitarists, however, he knew he was to become a drummer. He started lessons when he was young then taught himself as he pursued his career. Ben has performed in many live shows and is currently in a band by the name Goodbye Iris. His musical influences include Billy Talent, Disturbed, Blink182, Sum41; his genres of choice being Pop Punk and Rock/Metal.
Ben
Instructor
Drums
Delores
Currently living in Grande Prairie and working as a piano instructor at the Markevich Creative Studio, Delores grew up in Slave Lake with a love for the musical world. She went on to earn her RCM Advanced Rudiments and RCM Grade 8 and continues to further her musical talents and career. The limitless possibilities in life inspires Delores to push forward and forge her own path.
Instructor
Piano
In October 2022 I was given the honour of teaching piano at the Markevich Creative Studio, and have thoroughly enjoyed sharing the language of music with my students! Since my focus is in beginner students of all ages, I strive to be the teacher that brings a good foundation of knowledge, as well as being creative and fun.
Growing up in a musical family, I’ve always had a love for music. When I was young, I had joined the Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir, studied piano in the Royal Conservatory of Music Program. Over the years I was able to train and win various awards and certifications.
Now I am continuing my training through the RCM program, and will be completing my Level 9 Harmony and Pedagogy courses this year; as well as meeting monthly with a local composers group to create music compositions.
Madison
Instructor
Piano