Mark De-Lisser

Mark’s love of music was apparent from an early age, when his dad took him to the local gospel church to give his mum a break. He taught himself piano, aged 9, and by 15 was leading the church youth choir. He conducted his first performance aged just 18.

Mark went on to study at Colchester Institute of Music, where his natural ability to motivate and inspire was evident through his direction and performance with everything from classical to jazz. He subsequently studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama where he graduated with an MA in Voice Studies, then obtained a PGCE in Music Education from the Institute of Education.

In 2004, Mark established Singology – a group of London choirs that unite diverse communities through song and provide their members with a creative outlet and a sense of belonging. In 2006, he founded the ACM (Academy of Contemporary Music) Gospel Choir – now known as MDL Singers. The choir went on to become semi-finalists in the BBC’s Last Choir Standing just two years later, and won the Urban Music Award for Best Gospel Act in 2013.

Mark’s love of teaching and nurturing skills in others has led him to lecture at a range of international institutions, including The BRIT School, The Academy of Contemporary Music and the University of Westminster. Mark has also delivered numerous corporate workshops and events for household names such as Barclays, Hilton, McLaren and Bacardi.

Since 2008, Mark has been involved in a vast array of TV shows, as everything from vocal coach and musical director to presenter and host. TV programmes include Our Dementia Choir With Vicky McClure (BBC1), The Masked Singer (ITV), The Voice UK (ITV), Queen of the Universe (Paramount+) and Songs of Praise (BBC1).

Alongside singing teaching, choral directing, vocal arranging and numerous TV appearances, Mark is also an established author. He co-wrote Inspire Your Choir: 100 Ways to Raise the Bar, and his popular nine-book Sing Out! series is used by choir leaders everywhere.

markdelisser.com