Mark Cedel

Mark Cedel brings a wealth of professional experience to his position as Director of Orchestral Activities. The 2018-19 academic year marks his 25th year at UGA. Prior to his appointment at UGA, he was Associate Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. In his four seasons with that orchestra, he conducted over 200 performances; appearing on every series offered by the orchestra. Before joining the Charlotte Symphony, Cedel was Principal Viola and Assistant Conductor of the Charleston (SC) Symphony Orchestra for nine years. While in Charleston, he served for two seasons as that orchestra's Acting Music Director. From 1986-1990, he was a member of the artist faculty at the Brevard Music Center and was principal conductor of the Brevard Repertory Training Program.  

In addition to directing orchestral activities at UGA, Cedel served as professor of viola from 1994-2002. During that period he performed, toured, and recorded regularly as extra/substitue viola with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, including its northeast tour with concerts in Carnegie Hall. He returned to teaching viola for the 2009-2010 academic year, while a seach was conducted to fill the position.

Cedel has been associated with many orchestras in the southeast.  This includes Principal Viola of the South Carolina Chamber Orchestra and the Guest Principal Viola of the Savannah Symphony, and orchestras in Augusta, Macon, and Jacksonville.

Upon graduation, Cedel accepted the position of Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Universidade Federale do Rio Grande do Norte in Brasil.  There he was Principal Viola of the Orquestra da Camera UFRN and violist for the Quarteto UFRN, which made several national tours.  Cedel frequently returns to Brasil to participate in festivals and guest conduct.

Cedel earned a bachelor of music degree in viola performance from the Curtis Institute of Music where he was a student of Joseph dePasquale, and studied chamber music with members of the Guarneri Quartet, Budapest Quartet and Beaux Arts Trio. He holds a master of music degree in conducting from the North Carolina School of the Arts.