Mark Hijleh holds a doctoral degree in composition from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, a master's degree in conducting and composition from the Ithaca College School of Music, and a bachelor's degree in composition from William Jewell College. His teachers included such noted artists as Karel Husa, Morris Moshe Cotel, Barney Childs, James Mobberly, and Thomas Benjamin. Dr. Hijleh has received composition awards from NATS (2002 Vocal Composition Award Winner), Kappa Gamma Psi, T.U.B.A., Loyola College of Maryland, and ASCAP. His works have been performed professionally by the Rochester and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestras, the Janus Orchestra, the Liberty Symphony Orchestra, the Bach Ensemble of Baltimore, at Washington's Kennedy Center, ResMusicAmerica in Baltimore, and Oxford University, UK, and by major ensembles of the Peabody Conservatory, Ithaca College, Houghton College, and William Jewell College.
Mark Hijleh lives with his wife, soprano Kelley Ruth Hijleh, and daughter Hannah in Houghton, New York, where he serves as Professor of Composition and Conducting at the Houghton College School of Music and conducts the Houghton Philharmonia Orchestra. He is also founder and President of the Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers (www.cfamc.org). More information about Mark Hijleh can be found at www.markhijleh.com.