Q&A with Academy Pianist Mark Leung

It’s said that music and mathematics are linked, and for Queensland Ballet Academy Pianist Mark Leung, it seems to be true. A keen music student as a child, Mark studied maths at university and worked in IT for 28 years at IBM before following his passion for the piano. Now his days are filled with scores instead of screens. Here, Mark talks musical moments, switching sectors, and the joy of playing at the Academy.

Hi Mark, tell us about your transition from maths to music.

I studied music at a school in England, however my parents preferred me to do something else. I remember jokingly saying medicine starts with M; I wanted to do music, so maths is a good middle ground! During a 28-year career in IT, I played the piano on Saturdays for my son’s dance school in north Brisbane. After a redundancy from IBM, I shared a contract with another ballet pianist for the Queensland Ballet Academy summer school. I was lucky that afterwards, there was an opportunity to work at the Academy. 

Was that your first experience with Queensland Ballet?

In 2002, I actually sang with Queensland Ballet at a performance at St John’s Cathedral, called St Francis of Assisi….in his footsteps choreographed by Paul Boyd (now Head of Upper School & Resident Choreographer). It was a collaboration between QB, the chamber choir “Canticum”, and the Brisbane Chamber Orchestra. I was in a chamber choir at the time, and there was a rehearsal where the dancers were standing in character, in the beautiful cathedral, and in that moment, I remember thinking ‘wow’. There was also a lady who played the piano beautifully and I thought ‘oh, I’d like to be a ballet pianist’. There are a few links in my past that have led me to where I am today. 

What do you enjoy most about your days at QB Academy?

I am always learning something new! The environment is great. The teachers care, that’s for sure. The pianists work well together, the students are very respectful. They ask lots of questions. Last week they were asking me, what’s the hardest piece you’ve ever played? Do your fingers ever hurt? (laughs) So everyone is very warm and friendly. And over the years I have watched the students grow, I have also seen myself develop. 

Do you compose your own music, or play by ear?

When you improvise you don’t need a score, so it frees your eyes up and allows you to really follow the class. I like to improvise in classes, partly because I could be running out of music to play, and partly because I enjoy the little surprises that can creep in during improvisation. I usually base the music on what the teacher is humming when describing an exercise. If I need to play the same piece for the rest of the week, I’ll go home, listen to my recording and scribble it down for consistency. 

What other passions do you have?

I like playing with old cameras. I love the opera, I love the rehearsal process. I’ve done a bit of playing with Opera Queensland at their free concerts. When my son was a cathedral chorister with St John’s Cathedral, I sang with them for a year and enjoyed it. I love that I can sit and listen as well as be a part of the music making. 

Tell us about the other full circle moments that led you to becoming a ballet pianist.

I first began collaborating on the piano with another musician at school, Emma, a clarinettist. She told me that when I played, she felt like dancing. It was a really lovely thing for her to say: it helps me shift my focus when I am unsure of myself. Emma came to Brisbane in 1996 to perform with the Brisbane Philharmonic, which was based at the Thomas Dixon Centre. That visit reconnected me with D’Arne, my wife who was also working there at the time. Louise Deleur, who is Head of Contemporary at QB Academy now, was choreographing Opera Queensland’s production of Andrea Chénier, and created something for D’Arne, who was an extra back then. And of course, the Cathedral collaboration where I sang for QB is another link. I do think I have found my niche, which is really lovely. 

And finally, what’s the best advice you could offer to your younger self?

Have the maturity to listen when someone offers you advice. Also, don’t be fearful! 

By Cassandra Houghton