Mark V.Born : Washington DC

About Mark V. Download Resume

A first-generation American, Mark Vialva grew up hearing and playing music in church and in his community. He took piano lessons and played piano at church and took up the trumpet in third grade. He marched and competed with the Oakville Watertown Drum Corps for 10 years. Mr. Vialva planned to play the trumpet in the Marine Corps Band but failed his audition because he was not proficient at reading music. He had always relied on his excellent ear to learn new music. During his time as a Marine, he realized what he wanted to do with the rest of his life was teach music. Mr. Vialva earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. He has played in and led his own bands, and is skilled at playing and instructing trumpet, piano, drums, clarinet, vibraphone, trombone, flute, baritone, and tuba. Before teaching music at IDEA PCS here in DC, Mr. Vialva taught music at the Park School in Brookline, Massachusetts.