Hi, I'm Mark Cheyne, a composer, music producer, and musical director with 28 years of professional experience across theatre, ballet, live events, and commercial music. I specialize in orchestration, arrangement, and production, with hundreds of orchestral arrangements and collaborations across South Africa and internationally. I've created two full-length ballets, a full-length musical, and numerous award-nominated albums, and I'm adept at guiding teams of musicians, recording engineers, and creative directors from concept through to final mix and performance. I thrive on cross-genre collaboration and delivering broadcast-quality music for stage and screen.…

Mark Cheyne

PRO
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Hi, I'm Mark Cheyne, a composer, music producer, and musical director with 28 years of professional experience across theatre, ballet, live events, and commercial music. I specialize in orchestration, arrangement, and production, with hundreds of orchestral arrangements and collaborations across South Africa and internationally. I've created two full-length ballets, a full-length musical, and numerous award-nominated albums, and I'm adept at guiding teams of musicians, recording engineers, and creative directors from concept through to final mix and performance. I thrive on cross-genre collaboration and delivering broadcast-quality music for stage and screen.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Mark Cheyne, a composer, music producer, and musical director with 28 years of professional experience across theatre, ballet, live events, and commercial music. I specialize in orchestration, arrangement, and production, with hundreds of orchestral arrangements and collaborations across South Africa and internationally.

I’ve created two full-length ballets, a full-length musical, and numerous award-nominated albums, and I’m adept at guiding teams of musicians, recording engineers, and creative directors from concept through to final mix and performance. I thrive on cross-genre collaboration and delivering broadcast-quality music for stage and screen.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Owner / Composer / Producer at Aaross Music
January 1, 2005 - Present
Composed, orchestrated, and produced music for ballets, musicals, commercials, and corporate productions. Directed live orchestral and studio recording sessions, mixing and mastering deliverables to broadcast quality. Collaborated with choreographers, conductors, and international production teams for large-scale performances.
Composer at Joburg Ballet (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
December 31, 2024 - October 15, 2025
Collaborated with choreographer Mario Gaglione to create a 120-minute original score. Recorded with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra; mixed the soundtrack for the final version.
Principal Composer / Musical Director at Mzansi Ballet
December 31, 2023 - October 15, 2025
Co-composed and orchestrated an original full-length ballet score featuring African indigenous instrumentation. Collaborated with 3-time Grammy winner Wo u te r Kellerman and Mpho Molikeng; recorded with the Gauteng Chamber Orchestra. Album version released; four seasons in South Africa; international debut in Lugano, Switzerland (2025).
Composer at Joburg Theatre / Third World Express
December 31, 2022 - October 15, 2025
Created a full-length musical in collaboration with Gregory Maqoma for the Joburg Theatre.
Composer / Music Producer - Hegra Candlelight Classics Soundscapes at Balich Wonder Studio
December 1, 2021 - December 15, 2021
Composed and produced atmospheric soundscapes and narrative voiceovers for Balich Wonder Studio’s desert production.
Musical Director at Discovery Symphony Under the African Sky
December 31, 2021 - October 15, 2025
Developed a bespoke symphonic show featuring the 20-piece Electric Pops Orchestra and four vocal soloists.
Musical Director at Vodacom CEO Awards Main Entertainment Shows
December 31, 2023 - October 15, 2025
Produced and arranged all music for the live shows and final mixes for streamed performances.
Partner at Stone Music Productions
December 2, 1996 - December 31, 2004
Produced and arranged music for commercial clients, live theatre shows, and broadcast campaigns. Managed recording sessions and post-production workflows for national ad campaigns and album projects.

Education

National Diploma in Light Music at Tshwane University of Technology
January 1, 1994 - December 1, 1996

Qualifications

Loerie Craft Award (Music Composition)
June 1, 2002 - June 1, 2025
Received an award for composing 3 musical theatre style numbers for 3 singers to a specific brief as part of the South African launch of the BMW 7 Series.
Naledi Theatre Special Award for Achievement in Theatre
June 19, 2025 - June 19, 2025
Received a Special Award at the 20th Naledi Theatre Awards for composing the full-length ballet orchestra score for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Joburg Ballet

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services
    paper Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Joburg Ballet

    I composed the original score for this new full-length ballet, performed by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. I also produced the soundtrack.

    paper The Gold Rhino of Mapungubwe

    I composed music for this African Fantasy full-length ballet, performed by the Gauteng Chamber Orchestra. I also produced the soundtrack.

    paper Palazzo dei Sogni

    I composed & produced Palazzo dei Sogni - the theme music for Emperors Palace, a Roman themed hotel and casino in Johannesburg, South Africa. This track was used in all above the line advertising, stings and as an audio brand ID.