Dr Mark Jennings is a British born classical guitar recitalist, much sought after in the UK and overseas. He has been playing classical guitar for most of his life having begun lessons at an early age. Shortly after starting lessons, his father, himself a talented singer, impressed by his son’s progress, supported Mark’s musical development by commissioning a well established local luthier to build a guitar for him using the finest traditional materials, a guitar he still owns today, over thirty five years later

Following a successful audition Mark was awarded the coveted Dorset Arts Council scholarship to study with the preeminent classical guitarist Carlos Bonell at the London College of Music, part of the Guildhall School of Music, where he also studied harmony, counterpoint and composition with the British pianist and composer John McCabe.

He later went on to study privately with Forbes Henderson (formerly of the Omega Quartet, and Incantations), Gary Ryan (Royal College of Music) and Graham Devine (Trinity College of Music).  As a student Mark performed in many international public masterclasses hosted by such distinguished artists as Roland Dyans (Paris Conservatory), John Mills (Royal Welsh College of Music), David Russell (Royal Academy of Music) and Berta Rojas (Washington DC University).

Mark recognizes the importance of being alive to other interests, of having broad horizons and a rich and varied perspective. Winning the A.J.Ayer and R. Wolheim awards enabled him to widen and deepen his studies at the University College London (UCL) and to further develop his experience and skills as a recitalist.

He had the honour of studying for four years with the great ‘Renaissance man’ Sir Roger Scruton (composer, musicologist, music critic, writer and philosopher), and later went on to win the UCL 1994 Jacobsen Prize for the best all round student. In addition to a music diploma, Mark holds a BA (hons) in History, Politics and Philosophy, and an MPhil and Doctorate in Philosophy from University College London.  

During this time he gave concerts regularly throughout the UK and on the Continent. Before becoming a full-time recitalist, he had been at various times a part-time tutor in philosophy at UCL, a part-time teacher of politics and history at Highgate School in North London and a teacher of philosophy and history at Christ Hospital School in West Sussex.

Mark has enjoyed a variety of successful musical collaborations with other musicians.  He was a member of the Baroque Players, which he co-founded with his peers at the conservatoire.  He also performed as a guitar duo with Peter Rueffer, founder of The Pro Arte Trio and Music Director of the Dillington International Classical Guitar Festival. Keen to play with other types of instrumentalists, Mark was the founding member of the Paganini Duo for violin-guitar, which included Andrew Wickens, of The London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mark is currently based in Hampstead, North London, and spends some of the winter months performing in South Africa.  He is a regular ‘wild swimmer’, especially in the picturesque lakes of Hampstead Heath, this during all seasons and whatever the weather.  He also enjoys interspersing his daily practise sessions by indulging in his academic interests.