Mark Tooby
Double Bass
Mark joined WASO in 1990.
Mark started learning double bass at the age of 10 with Brian Bursey as his teacher in the WA Instrumental Music program. He then went on to complete a Bachelor of Music at the WA Music Conservatorium in 1989, studying with Joan Wright.
In 1988 Mark performed throughout Europe with the Australian Youth Orchestra on their Bicentennial Tour. Since 1985 Mark has worked in professional orchestras including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Victorian State Orchestra and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra in Sydney, before attaining a permanent seat with WASO in 1990.
In 1997 Mark completed a ‘job exchange’, working with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in the UK under an agreement with WASO. Whilst in the Bournemouth Symphony, Mark won a trial as Sub Principal and met his future wife Cerys, now a violin player with WASO.
Mark has taught double bass at all levels from beginners to tertiary studies and conducts primary and secondary school orchestras. In 2009 Mark completed a Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching and continues to work with WA Education Instrumental Music Services.
Mark is very passionate about music education with a strong desire and commitment to giving every child access to music.
Mark has collaborated with Lee Stanley and WASO Principal Trombone Joshua Davis to produce educational music stories (including Echo the Gecko) under their company 3Geckos. WASO have performed Echo the Gecko stories in their Education programs since 2016, including on tour in China.
Mark and Cerys have three children. Mark’s passions are fishing, playing golf, travelling and working on their farm in Denmark.