Despite the longtime financial struggles within his family, Mark Maslar, a freshman from California majoring in vocal performance, said he managed to find happiness in music and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
According to Maslar, his father was a talented singer but didn’t get to make his dream come true. “My dad could sing anything you give him but he was shy. Not a lot of people supported him when he grew up so he didn’t have confidence in pursuing his dream in art.”
On the contrary, Maslar was supported by his family, especially his mother. He said, “She always had confidence in me to go beyond my comfort zone. She saw I had dad’s talent.”
Maslar said studying vocal performance is a chance for him to show his appreciation of the support he’s received and honor his father. “I’ve always wanted to use my voice to make him proud.
“If I can show the world how great the voice he gave me is, then I can tell them how amazing my family is and how important they are to me because they gave me that voice,” Maslar said.
Dr. Daniel Henderson, an assistant professor of music at BYU–Hawaii and Maslar’s music theory teacher, commented, “[Maslar] sits in the front row and makes eye contact with me the whole time. He asks questions. He seems to be enjoying his education just based on his facial expression in class.”
Of BYUH, Maslar said, “There is not a word can describe how beautiful and expansive the opportunities are in BYUH. When I started to meet the professors and the other students in the music department, I was blown away by how much I could still learn about performing. It inspires and challenges me at the same time, despite how difficult it is.
“There are people rooting for me, the professors love what they’re doing, with that love, you can’t say anything is impossible. Everything is opened for you.”
Childhood
Having grown up in Irvine, California, Maslar said his family had never been wealthy and both of his parents struggled to financially sustain the family. He said his mother was always on business trips and his father would take him and his brother to the construction site he was working on. Also, Maslar's brother is deaf and needs to rely on a hearing device.
With all the struggles within his family, Maslar said the Church and his family members’ love for music were what made him happy and his life easier. “I remember the time we were either singing or dancing in the car. That was the time we could spend together as a family.”
Maslar said he grew up in a musical family where each person played a different instrument. Maslar sings and plays the cello and the saxophone. His father also sings and plays the trombone. His mother plays the clarinet, and his brother plays the violin and the trumpet, according to Maslar.
During Maslar’s time in school, his parents had always supported him when it came to music and acting. “They wanted me to feel free to pursue everything that I set my mind to,” shared Maslar.
In elementary school he learned to play the cello, joined the choir and participated in theatre.
Mission
After graduating from high school, Maslar served a full-time mission in the Philippines. He described his mission as a changing point in his life because it strengthened his faith in God and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“Before my mission,” he recalled, “we [his family] were kicked out from our old apartment. We had no place to go, but then someone proposed supporting me for my mission. Other people came to buy supplies for my mission.
“Now I have a new philosophy; use the time and energy I’ve been given to better myself physically, spiritually, mentally, and musically. The Church was the force which gave me strength,” continued Maslar.
After his mission, Maslar came to BYU–Hawaii in 2019 Winter Semester as a vocal performance major. When asked why he chose to study vocal performance, he answered, “My voice is a gift from God. I try to take it to as far as I can.”
Johanah Micah Gallano, a sophomore from the Philippines studying business management, said Maslar’s life is focused on his goals and accepting God’s will at the same time. Gallano added, “[Maslar has] a big heart for helping people.”
Gallano recalled, “A man dropped his medicine while riding his bike. He quickly grabbed it and ran toward the man.”
Ayumu Mizuno, a freshman from Japan studying information system, said, “He has good a sense of humor and sweet heart towards everyone I have never seen before. I love being around him.”
Angela Fantone, a senior from the Philippines majoring in English, described Maslar as a “joyful and fun spirit.” She explained, “Being friends with him just makes you happy because he somehow knows the right things to say.
“Whenever I read a book, he is ready to discuss it with me on the spot. Most people find it hard to relate to my love of books, but he always has really insightful comments about it that turns into a meaningful conversation.”
Writer: Tomson Cheang