Dylan is joined in the Band Room with his friend and mentor, Dr. Mark Hopkins, Professor of Music at Acadia University. They discuss everything from his "unusual" path to where he is, getting back up when you get knocked down, influential teachers, love of teaching, COVID-19 ensemble ideas for the fall and more! The music used in today’s episode was Donald Coakley’s Antiphonals, performed by the Acadia University Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Hopkins.

About Mark

Dr. Mark Hopkins is a Professor in the School of Music at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. At Acadia University he is founding conductor of the Wind Ensemble, teaches undergraduate and graduate Conducting courses plus other Music Education, SoundPainting, and chamber music courses.

Dr. Hopkins is in-demand as a guest conductor and music education consultant. In 2003 Dr. Hopkins was appointed Associate Conductor of the Denis Wick Canadian Wind Orchestra, an honour ensemble that selects some of the best young players in Canada through annual national auditions. He led the 2019 National Youth Band of Canada in seven performances across Manitoba.  He is Artistic Director of the Nova Scotia Youth Wind Ensemble (2008-2011, 2013-present), and is Past-President of the Nova Scotia Band Association. Along with composer Derek Charke, Dr. Hopkins organized “Shattering the Silence”, an innovative new music festival (visit http://www.shatteringthesilence.ca to learn more.) He can be heard leading the WIRED! Ensemble on the cd’s LIVE WIRED!(2015) and In Sonorous Falling Tones(2017).

Dr. Hopkins received a 2019 National Band Award from the Canadian Band Association, and an “Established Artist Award” from Arts Nova Scotia in 2016 for his work as a professional conductor.  In Canada he has guest-conducted bands and orchestras in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. Abroad, he has led collegiate and professional performances in the United States, Bermuda, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Italy, Switzerland, and Romania.

A native of Toronto, Dr. Hopkins earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the New England Conservatory while serving as Assistant to Frank L. Battisti, and was awarded the Gunther Schuller Medal at graduation. From 2002-2005 he led ensembles and taught at the University of Calgary in Alberta. Dr. Hopkins taught music in high schools for twelve years, including seven years’ service as Chair of the Music Department at Upper Canada College in Toronto. His professional work as a Conductor spans the full range of ensembles and genres.