Mark Sullivan

Mark Sullivan is a Canadian fiddler and educator from Bowmanville, ON, Canada. He is a former three time Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion. He currently lives in Abbotsford, BC, Canada. 
==Background/Life/Education==
Mark started playing the fiddle at age 7 and grew up playing for old time dances in the Bowmanville area at his four local fiddle clubs, often accompanied by his father on guitar. He was taught by the former president of the Newcastle & Orono Old Time Fiddle Club, Wendell Trineer. He owes much of his love of fiddling to the many hours spent with Wendell listening to music, learning new skills, and building an appreciation for fiddlers of old. Mark gathered many tunes, recordings, and seized many playing opportunities in his local area as a young fiddler where he honed his craft as one of Canada’s elite players. He began competing at local fairs and was soon fully immersed in the Canadian Fiddle Contest scene, primarily in Ontario. He is a three time Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion, three time Canadian Open Fiddle Champion (Shelburne, Ontario), and three time Pembroke Fiddle Champion, among many other awards.
Grandson of local Douro, Ontario old time fiddler, Tommy Sullivan
Bachelor Degree in English/History - University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada 
Masters Degree in the Science of Education - Medaille College, Buffalo, NY, USA
CAIS Diploma in Independent School Leadership
==Awards==
Three time Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion (2001, 2004, 2005)
Three time Canadian Open Fiddle Champion (2002, 2004, 2006)
Three time Pembroke Open Fiddle Champion (2001, 2002, 2003)
2x Ontario Open Fiddle Champion - Bobcaygeon, ON
==Festivals / Teaching / Performances==
Guest artist at fiddle competitions across Canada (Shelburne ON, Miami MB, Grand North American, AB) 
Regular instructor at prominent music camps in Canada (Leahy Music Camp, Camp Calvin Vollrath, FiddleWorks, Smithers BC, Sabir Sisters Music Camp, International Music Camp, Shivering Strings, among others)
Performs solo, as sideman, and alongside traditional music groups at folk festivals throughout Canada and the USA
Performed as house fiddler in Lancaster, PA, USA as part of the American Music Theatre’s annual two month Christmas run
==Influences==
Mark’s fiddling is heavily influenced by the playing of old-time fiddler Graham Townsend (Ontario).
Further influences have been Don Messer, Pierre Schryer, Calvin Vollrath, Martin Hayes, Mark O’Connor, and Chubby Wise.
==Compositions==
Mark has one original recording of tunes called “The Gathering Room” featuring 14 compositions:
Fern & Larry’s (Country Shuffle)
For Laila (waltz)
Wendell’s Bb Breakdown
The Gathering Room (Cajun 2 Step)
Tommy Sullivan’s Jig Set 
The Pineview Waltz
Kamran’s Lullabye
Roxanna’s Welcome to Whitehorse (jig)
Pickell in Paris
Dennis & Emily’s Old Time Waltz
The Swingin’ Dranes
The Abbot and Cordova Reel Set
==Publications==
Mark has published one book of original tunes called “The Gathering Room”, published in 2014 and is available online as a PDF file.
==Discography==
The Gathering Room 2014
Wednesday Night Clubs 2012
SwingReel (collaboration with Craig McGregor) 2012
Mark Sullivan (self titled) 2007
More Old Time Fiddling 2004
Traditional Styles 2000
Fiddling For You 1997
Making My Mark 1994
Category:Canadian fiddlers
Category:Canadian educators
Category:Canadian people