Australian Youth Orchestra
Transformative Notes: Mark Harris on AYO and the Power of Music Education
We sat down with Mark Harris, the co-founder of Lah-Lah Productions, to explore his incredible musical journey and the profound impact AYO has had on his life and career. Mark reflects on his time with AYO as “an incredible launchpad” that not only allowed him to perform in Europe’s great concert halls but also helped him discover his identity and passion for music. He shares how the experiences gained alongside fellow young musicians instilled a deep love for performance and a strong work ethic that shaped his diverse career in children’s television, film, theatre, jazz, and classical music. “It is no exaggeration to claim that AYO literally changed me and set me up for life,” he expresses, highlighting the transformative power of music education.
What are some of the memories you have of your time with AYO?
Some of my fondest memories with AYO include being contacted after initially missing out on the 1994 European tour. I was thrilled that another bassist had decided not to go, and I was next in line! Performing at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the 100th anniversary of the BBC Proms, with my parents in the audience, was a massive highlight of my life. The pre-tour intensive rehearsal in Melbourne stands out as the most intense musical experience I’ve ever had, earning me a case of tennis elbow—a quick lesson in why good technique is so important. I also recall the panic when Gen Lang broke a harp string just two minutes before we were set to take the stage at the Concertgebouw to play Ravel’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune. Finally, hearing Cho-Liang Lin sublimely perform what is now my favourite violin concerto, Sibelius, and being part of that magic was truly unforgettable.
Why do you think AYO is important to the Australian cultural landscape?
One of the most vital aspects of young musicians’ careers is developing a network of colleagues, arts administrators, mentors, and others. In addition to the incredible musical opportunities that AYO offers, it is a wonderful network builder. AYO alumni become elite performers who proudly represent Australia on the global stage, as well as arts administrators, policymakers, and cultural advocates across various industries.
Tell us about your career trajectory and how Lah Lah’s Big Live Band came about.
My music career began because of my mum, Sue, who was a chorister with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs for nearly 40 years. She wished for her kids to access music education, which meant violin and choral singing for me from about eight years old. This continued until high school when I switched from violin to piano (of which I was a terrible student) and then to double bass because my school needed more players. I was hooked instantly. I played in my school orchestra and joined the SBS Radio and Television Youth Orchestra, which was great fun! I attended National Music Camps Australia for four years before auditioning for AYO for the 1994 tour.
Encouraged by my mentors, I auditioned for the Sydney Conservatorium, was offered a place in jazz and classical, and chose jazz. I completed my BMus (Hons) in jazz and, partly because I loved singing, but mostly because I was in love with a brilliant young opera singer (Tina, my wife of 25 years), I enrolled in the Diploma of Operatic Arts at the Conservatorium. After a few years, Tina and I decided to travel, heading to Paris to study French.
We then moved to Japan, where we taught English for almost two years before returning home, pregnant with our first daughter in 2003. I continued with jazz gigs, world music, music theatre, film scores, and bass teaching. I completed my master’s degree in 2009, the same year Tina and I decided to start a kids’ band with friends from Monsieur Camembert, a world music band I’d played with since returning to Australia. We launched with a CD, Shake It Like This, and a live show at the Seymour Centre, quickly being picked up by Nickelodeon Australia for music videos. Now, we are full-time kids’ music YouTubers and trainers for made-for-kids content creators globally.
The bass remains a significant part of my life, with regular jazz gigs, music theatre shows, Sydney Philharmonia performances, film and gaming score sessions, and the occasional student. I lead a fascinatingly varied life and look forward to my adult kids developing their careers—Lily, a talented filmmaker, and Emily studying classical voice at the Conservatorium and interning with SYO. The creative arts continue in the Harris household.
What do you see as the benefits of music education for young people?
I recently attended the AYO Music in Me Summit in Sydney. Leading experts in music education, child development, and the preeminent fine arts companies in the country presented their cases in response to this very question. There is way too much for me to list here, so I would say head to the website – AYO Music in Me Summit – and see for yourself. For me, as a former young person, I would say: purpose, achievement, sense of self, friends, culture, intellectual development, coordination, and fun (and a whole lot more)!
What was one of the first pieces of music to inspire you?
My first musical memory would be sitting under Mum’s chair during a Sydney Philharmonia Choir rehearsal before I started school. While I can’t remember exactly which work, it was probably one of the great classics, like Handel’s Messiah or Orff’s Carmina Burana. As an instrumentalist, my earliest memory was playing Jupiter from Holst’s Planets; I thought it was magnificent! As a contemporary musician, James Brown’s I Feel Good absolutely captivated me and made me realise that the music world wasn’t two-dimensional—there were more like 20+!
Which composer would you invite to a dinner party and why?
I would invite my dear friend and colleague, Australian composer Gary Daley, whom we call “Squishy.” Gary, like me, is a cross-genre lover of music and composes music that expresses that breadth with an undeniably Australian voice. You can hear his beautiful music on Spotify: Gary Daley on Spotify. And just because he is one of the loveliest people I know—and to me, that’s the most important thing. If you want a more traditional answer, I’d say jazz pianist/composer Brad Mehldau, a true luminary, or Maurice Ravel because his music is sublime, and I’m a Francophile.
Join Mark and fellow alumni at REPLA.Y.O, our special reunion orchestra at National Music Camp 2025!
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the vibrant AYO community again—catch up with old friends, make music, and share the excitement. Register by 31 October to secure your place!