6.1. About Martin

My professional work as pianist, composer, music director and organist, as well as my love for nature and a deep spiritual journey  has shaped my life for many years.  

My primary instrument is the piano. I started playing piano at the age of five. Later I also learned cello and organ. I went to Vienna to study at the University of Music piano, piano pedagogy, organ and choral conducting. There I received the degree as Master of Music (Magister der Künste). I continued my studies at the University of Music “Mozarteum”  in Salzburg, learning orchestral conducting. These studies included directing the orchestra of the University of Music in both rehearsals and performance. 

I held various positions as organist in both Germany and Canada. 

Performing, composing and recording meditative piano music became my main interests. This brought me to various countries in Europe, South and North America. My CD “Melodies of Peace” with meditative piano music was used in several health centres to relax and to find peace of mind. 

I performed concerts on many famous European organs, among them the Sieber organ in St. Michael, Vienna, Austria and the Stier-Mockers organ in Saint Marguerite, Riquewihr, France.   

I continue to perform as pianist and record more albums with my piano compositions and improvisations. I also perform chamber music with violin, flute, cello and other instruments and accompany vocal soloists. 

I directed many choirs and conducted their many performances, sometimes with full orchestra, in Germany.

2009 I immigrated to Canada. I held various positions as music director. Also here I directed choir concerts and performances with choir and instrumental ensembles, 

The Youth Vocal Ensemble of Dublin Street United Church in Guelph attained an “Honourable Mention” in the prestigious Kiwanis Provincial Finals Competition Class under my direction.

Beside piano music, I composed various choral works. Some of them, I wrote in commission. This included music for choir and instrumental ensemble. 

 Currently I am director of the Concordia Choirs Kitchener and organist at the Roman Catholic Churches Holy Angels and St Anne in St Thomas.  

I taught piano at the Music Schools in Diessen (Germany), Marktoberdorf (Germany), Langley (British Columbia) and the Guelph School of Music. Currently I teach in St Thomas, Ontario, as well as online to students living in various places. Piano students are shown how to attain masterful skills on their instrument. Students learning music writing or improvisation, are guided step by step on their way to create their own beautiful music. Through many years of experience as piano teacher and my love for improvisation, I offer to integrate piano improvisation from the very beginning of the lessons. Many of my students reached high marks in festivals and in the exams of The Royal Conservatory of Music.