Mark Haynes. Photo by Maria Nunes

GROWING UP, Mark Haynes was not exposed to different genres of music such as classical, jazz, rock, folk, and the like. At primary school, however, he excelled in sports, and in his final year, he attended a musical workshop facilitated by the Caribbean Network Arts and Education Foundation (CANOE) String programme, which offered full scholarships. Mark was one of the five students chosen despite his lack of knowledge on string instruments and music theory. He then decided he would learn to play the double bass.

During secondary school he worked hard at honing his craft, participating in multiple national music and string festivals, winning solo and group awards including the "Most Promising Young Musician" Challenge Trophy and "Most Outstanding String Quintet". Owing to his immense talent, Mark was hired to teach at the Holistic Primary School and in 2015, joined their jazz band, which won the 2016 Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival Big Band competition. He is also a member of the National Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mark's career as a musician was growing tremendously, and in 2018 he enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in the Performing Arts with specialisation in Music at The University of Trinidad and Tobago's (UTT) Academy for the Performing Arts (APA), and is currently in his final year. He remarks that he has experienced growth in his performance and music education, stating that his time as a student "has been nothing less than exciting, extraordinary and addictive".

UTT offers top educators from around the globe, exposing students to the knowledge, professionalism, talent, and passion of each music educator, creating an environment for inspiration and motivation. Being at APA allows students to network and build a team amongst themselves. With exposure to so many musicians within the institution, and at University-hosted productions, the chances of being hired are extremely high. This was illustrated during the pandemic, when Mark was offered an online Teaching Artist job, directing a string ensemble, and mentoring double bass and cello students of a music programme based in Pennsylvania, United States.

Overall, Mark is thankful that UTT offers a unique music programme with exposure to classical performance, education, jazz, and ethnomusicology. He believes that as a student at UTT, hard work never goes unseen, and adds, "Throughout my years at UTT, I have strived to improve my craft and education, and being at this University has opened multiple doors for me, for which I am eternally grateful."

The University of Trinidad and Tobago congratulates Mark on all his achievements and wishes him the best in his future endeavours!