Mark O'Connor
Biography
Mark O'Connor first knew that he wanted to be a violinist at the age of 11 in Seattle, having already played the guitar since age 6. Soon after, he began taking lessons fromthe legendary Texas fiddler Benny Thomasson. By age 14 he had won 3 national fiddling championships. After graduating high school, Mark toured the festival circuit and made a name for himself as a studio musician, playing the violin, guitar, and the mandolin (which he picked up on a lark in the early 80's, winning the World Mandolin Championship soon after). In 1990, he embarked on a solo career, and won numerous CMA Awards the following year for his "The New Nashville Cats" album. In 1992, he released "Heroes, " an album of duets with his violin-playing heroes. He began work on his first major symphonic work, The Fiddle Concerto, the next year. Mark continues to compose and tour the country giving concerts, along with conducting an annual Fiddle Camp at Vanderbilt University and teaching violin master classes. He currently lives in San Diego with his wife and 2 children.
Known For & Full Filmography4 Titles
Drama Series - 1995, 16 episodes • as Self
Folk musicians from both sides of the Atlantic come together in what have been called “the greatest backporch shows ever.” Collaborative live performances by various leading folk and country musicians playing music from Scotland, Ireland, England and North America.
Movie - 1999, 2h 15m • as Self
After Roberta Guaspari separates from her husband, she receives encouragement from her mother to take up a job of a music teacher at the Central Park East School in East Harlem.
Movie - 2000, 2h 15m • as Self
April 5th, 2000... On the heels of their unanimously acclaimed albums "Appalachia Waltz" and "Appalachian Journey", "Appalachian Journey Live In Concert" captures three of the world's most extraordinary musicians live in concert, along with very special guests James Taylor and Alison Krauss, from their sold-out performance at New York City's Avery Fischer Hall.
Movie - 1996, 2h 15m • as Self
A dedicated music teacher in East Harlem instructs a gaggle of underprivileged children in the art of the violin. In the climax, they play Carnegie Hall with some of the world's foremost fiddlers.