Mark C. Holmstrom began taking piano lessons at age 9 and added organ studies at age 15. He began his lifelong work as a church organist at Epiphany Lutheran Church in 1967, and in 1973, he moved to First Lutheran Church of Northridge, where he later became the Music Director and played keyboards in the praise band. In 2010, he transitioned to his current position at Camarillo United Methodist Church, which boasts a hybrid Rodgers/Shantz organ.

Mark had many opportunities to play the Steiner-Reck tracker-action organ in Samuelson Chapel during his 17 years at California Lutheran University, accompanying the CLU Choirs and later serving as University Organist. A highlight of his time with the CLU Choir was the 2006 Scandinavian Tour, where he was privileged to play prelude music for the choir concerts on the magnificent organs in the Cathedrals of Norway and Sweden.

His career has also included accompanying various choral groups, including the Los Robles Chamber Singers (under James Stemen) and the Los Robles Master Chorale (under Leslie Leighton), the Wagner Ensemble (led by Roger Wagner’s daughter, Jeannine Wagner), and several Comedy Tonight productions, including Ruddigore, Oklahoma!, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Pirates of Penzance.

He currently accompanies the choirs and vocal students at Ventura College, under Brent Wilson, and has played in the pit orchestra for many opera and musical productions. Mark also plays keyboards in the Camarillo Seniors of Note Big Band. He is delighted and honored to be collaborating with Dr. Morton and Areté this fall season.