Dr. Mark Andersen was Artist in Residence at Daniels Recital Hall from 2009 - 2015.  Mark Andersen began his education at East Carolina University in North Carolina, where he studied organ, harp, and voice.  His graduate studies carried him to Chicago and the American Conservatory, and then on to the Paris Conservatory, where he studied organ with Marcel Dupré, and composition with Nadia Boulanger.  While in Paris, Mark played at Notre Dame Cathedral under Pierre Cochereau.  Returning to the United States, Mark played with the Boston Symphony and became Artist in Residence to the John Hayes Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester, MA, where he played weekly concerts on the largest residence pipe organ in the world.  PBS TV did an hour special on Mark and the Castle in 1995.

International Artists Records signed Mark in 1974 and he moved to New York, where he took a position as staff arranger for NBC.  While at that position, he frequently concertized around the world, and began recording his now over 30 albums.  In 1982 Mark became the owner of International Artists and expanded the company to include televised media.

While Artist in Residence at Daniels Recital Hall, Mark lived in Kenmore, WA, and is President of International Artists, Vice President of Tonal Design for Artisan Instruments, Inc., and was President of the American Harp Society Greater Seattle for 2 terms.  He continues his recording and concert career, sometimes including Solo Handbell Artist Lynn Andersen.  Their home houses two large organs, including a 4 manual pipe/digital Classical Organ, a 4 manual pipe/digital Theater Organ, Concert Grand Harps, a two manual custom made Sperrhake Harpsichord, a 4 octave set of Schulmerich Handbells and a 5 octave set of Melody Chimes.

Mark is the host for the weekly television show Crescendo!, which features classical, sacred, and popular music.  Mark has over 300 works for organ, choir, and handbells published to date, and frequently tours to present master classes on French Organ Improvisation.  Crescendo! originally aired over Time Warner Cable in New York and Comcast in Seattle.  Now Crescendo! can be found on YouTube.

Mark’s musical compositions have twice won the International Composer’s Competition (1976 and 1999), and he has had two prestigious awards granted to him during his career:  In 1976 Senator John C Stennis had the US Flag flown over the Capitol in Washington, D.C. in honor of Mark’s contributions to the world of music in America; in 1986 Mark received North Carolina’s highest arts award - The North Carolina State Award for Excellence - bestowed by Governor James G. Martin.  The New York Times is quoted "Mark gives life to music" in reviewing his first concert at Carnegie Hall.

In addition to his classical music, Mark also loves Theater Organ, and has played as a featured organist during the 1970 New York Theater Organ Convention at Radio City Music Hall.  He has several Theater Organ albums recorded, including a video for the Capitol Theater in York, PA.  He has also written the musical score for several Off Broadway musicals, including Widow's Waltz, The Woman They Love to Hate, and Best Friends, and he is currently composing a brand new Opera Compte Dracula.