Mark Swope has been teaching piano for more than 30 years both privately and in public schools. He is a music educator, author, pianist, conductor, singer, and clinician, and has taught high school choirs for more than 20 years. Swope studied conducting with William Dehning, George Buckbee, Charlene Archibeque, James Jordan, and Carol Krueger. A native of California, Swope received his bachelor's degree in Piano Performance from the University of the Pacific and his Master of Arts degree in Choral Conducting from San Jose State University. He has completed additional studies in conducting and music pedagogy at Emporia State University, Iowa State University, and Westminster Choir College.

An active conductor and clinician, Swope regularly provides professional development training for school districts in Music Literacy, Independent Musicianship, and State Music Teaching Standards. His choirs have been recognized for their musicianship and performances. The late Moses Hogan stated "This is an excellent conductor" in response to Swope's high school choir performing J.S. Bach's Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich (Lincoln Center, 2001). Kirk Mechem said of Swope's leadership, "Under Mark's direction the (San Jose State University) Choraliers sang with elegant phrasing, clear diction, beautiful tone and perfect precision. The performance was very moving."

Mark Swope also served as the General Manager of the Stockton Symphony Association for three years. An advocate of music education, he created the format and content for the symphony outreach program Steppin' Out with the Stockton Symphony (1995). Steppin' Out with the Stockton Symphony has continued for more than 20 years and reaches more than 3,000 Central California elementary school students annually. In 2015 Swope created and founded The Music Olympics, a regional, one-of-a-kind Music Competition based on student musicianship and literacy skills. Swope also organized and lead "Stagg Sings" - Stagg High School's 400 voice choir - from 2015 - 2018. It was the largest vocal choir in Central California with more than 400 high school singers.

Swope's most recent adventure has been the creation of The Singing Piano (2019). This innovative piano teaching method is based on the research and philosophies of Kodaly, Brunner, von Laban, Dalcroze, Suzuki, Pestalozzi, and Gordon.