Born in Hong Kong, Clarence Mak studied at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Pennsylvania State University, and the Stanford University Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics. His compositions, have been performed at international festivals in Europe, Japan, Mainland China, Taiwan and Australia, and recorded by Hugo Record Company and the Hong Kong Composers' Guild. He is also actively involved in promoting creative music-making and related educational activities for school children and teachers, a most recent project being the writing of teaching modules on 20th century music for the Hong Kong Education Campaign of ISCM (International Society for Contemporary Music) World New Music Days 2002. Clarence Mak joined the School of Music in 1987, teaching composition, electronic music and theory. He is a founding member of the Academy's Electronic Music Studio.