Mark J. Van Hecke

Mark Van Hecke (‘77 MM Music) has had a truly varied career in music. He was a two-time winner of the University Fellowship for Graduate Studies in Music and composed many scores for theatre. He served as resident composer for the Milwaukee Repertory Theater from 1977 to 1982, Milwaukee’s Theatre X (incl: an Obie Award-winning production), the Berkeley Repertory Theatre (for which he won a San Francisco Bay Area Drama Critics Circle Award), and the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, among others. He also composed music for New York City dance companies as well as scores for films, television, and 120 video games. His music has been performed around the world, including New York’s Central Park, England, and Japan.

In addition to composing, Mark has conducted in New York, Chicago, Kansas City, and Milwaukee; performed on piano, organ, drums, guitar, and bass; and produced Gold and Platinum Records.

Mark also creates these scholarships in honor and memory of his dear wife, Theresa Grzanka-Van Hecke, who taught art in New York City public elementary and middle schools for 35 years. She also was a distinguished artist herself.