About Mr. Donlin

Hello! My name is Mark Donlin and this is my 4th year teaching music at Boone School. Before coming to Boone, I've also taught in Skokie, IL and at Nettelhorst Elementary, another Chicago Public School.

I grew up in a very small town in Pennsylvania but was lucky enough to have a wonderful music teacher. Some of the songs I teach today are songs I remember from when I was in elementary school! After High School, where I sang in choir, performed in musicals, and played Saxophone in band, I received a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA. During college I had the opportunity to perform a lot! Because I was in the school's Concert Choir, I was even able to travel to Europe twice to sing in Ireland and Italy. Studying music has truly allowed me to travel the world.

Right after I graduated, I moved to Chicago to attend Northwestern University where I completed a Master's Degree in Vocal Performance/Opera. Although I don't sing and perform as much as I used to, I'm so glad that I was able to attend Northwestern because it brought me to Chicago and then to Boone!

I currently live in Chicago with my husband (another CPS teacher), our greyhound Honey (a retired race track dog), and two cats: Rachel and Cooper. In my free time, I like cooking delicious vegetarian food, traveling, running, hanging out by Lake Michigan, reading, and playing the guitar.

Growing up in a very small town, I am grateful to live and teach in a diverse, urban community. It is my hope that I make music fun and meaningful for all of our students at Boone!

If you'd like to connect, email me at mdonlin1@cps.edu.