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To Whom it may Concern,
I am writing on behalf of Mark Alan Lovewell. I have known Mark as a friend and musician for several years and have had several opportunities to see him interact with young children and high school students.
Several years ago, I had Mr. Lovewell come to my school and perform for my own music students. His program of sea chanteys was varied in style and he also accompanied himself on several different instruments appropriate for the genre. Both his repertoire and facility on the varying instruments was very impressive. He also spoke about the stories around some of the songs and the history of the times they referred to. I also saw his presentation this past summer at the Whaling Church in Edgartown. He definitely where he demonstrated a professional artistic quality.
Mr. Lovewell's interaction with the teachers and students is also worth mentioning. Mr. Lovewell loves what he does and is willing to tailor his presentation according to grade level and time constraints. This is key to working within school systems. His manner, though professional is also light and makes him very approachable. He is friendly and puts you at ease right away.
Some of the important byproducts of Mr. Lovewell's presentation are that there is a male role model singing, his repertoire is rarely heard and important to Southeastern Massachusetts in a historical context, his accompaniment is interesting and once again rarely seen in performance. Finally, Mr. Lovewell's enthusiasm for his art is infectious and lends to the credibility of his work and the promotion of young musicians and budding artists.
I heartily recommend Mr. Lovewell to the residency program.
Dan Murphy
Choral Director
Martha's Vineyard Regional High School
To Whom It May Concern,
It is my pleasure to write a letter for Mark Lovewell, supporting his talents as a performer, historian and engaging communicator. I have had the pleasure of knowing him for over ten years on Martha's Vineyard in a variety of contexts. He is the father of two great children and relates well to young people of all ages. He is a talented writer, photographer and performer. His passion for things maritime involves him with Sail Martha's Vineyard, sea shanties, books and boats . His knowledge base is rich and deep.
Whether performing for adults or children, his work brings maritime
history alive with his music and stories. I always learn something new when listening to him, in addition to experiencing a wonderful musical
performance. Most recently I have seen him perform in our schools. As a third grade teacher at the West Tisbury School I am an experienced observer of children as an audience. Mark and his colleagues kept our kids engaged and eager for more. The content and pacing of the performance were right on, his manner when delivering stories made kids listen attentively . The children's comments on the way back to the classroom reflected how their curiosity had been aroused, new concepts introduced and what fun they had. His work is a perfect fit for our study of American history. Living on an island, the sea obviously has been an integral part of local history, but maritime history and music are really relevant to all U.S.
history.
As an educator with many years experience, I would recommend Mark on a personal and professional level without hesitation. Please call if I can be of further help.
Sincerely,
Martha Stackpole
retired third grade teacher
West Tisbury School
To Whom it May Concern:
This is my letter of recommendation for Mark Alan Lovewell, singer and storyteller extraordinare! As a former classroom teachers of grades 3,4 & 5 I can attest to Mark' ability to connect with and engage students with his lively presence. He performed for my classes with great success. I am currently the Director of Education at the Martha's Vineyard Historical Society. I have had numerous opportunities to see Mark in action with a wide range of audiences. This past summer he was part of our Wednesday evening Ice Cream Social Series. His flexibility and willingness to adapt to his audience was impressive. He is knowledgeable, funny and a true asset to our community. He is a true collaborator.
I've been on sailing ships with Mark, in auditoriums and outside on the Museum's grounds. He is charming and a resource that none of us should miss. I enjoy watching him continue to grow and fine tune his talents. His enthusiasm is contagious...something that teaching history requires!
I highly recommend that you consider him a creative teaching partner. Indeed, in my experience with him, he is!
Respectfully,
Lynne E. Whiting
Education Director
Martha’s Vineyard Museum
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Unfortunately sea chantey singing and storytelling are all that remains of the legacy of much of this Nation’s once vibrant coastal communities. The great square-rigged tall ships are gone. The harbors are no longer full of China traders, sailing fishing boats.
