Applied Drum Set, Jazz 2

A native of Somerset, Pennsylvania, Mark began playing percussion at age 11. He found a passion for music through his first percussion instructor and IUP professor, Ronald Horner. Mark followed his passion to Messiah University where he earned a B.A. in Classical Percussion Performance as well as his certification in Music Education. During his time at Messiah, Mark discovered and cultivated a love for jazz, and his studies with Kirk Reese, Tim Warfield, Lenny Rogers, and Dan Monaghan provided him a strong foundation in the jazz tradition. In 2014, Mark earned his M.M. in Jazz studies from Michigan State University where he had the opportunity to study and perform with jazz masters Randy Gilespie, Rodney Whitaker, Diego Rivera, Reggie Thomas, Michael Dease, and Etienne Charles. Mark maintains an active performance schedule as well as a private studio in which he teaches both classical and jazz lessons. He serves as the Director of Education for the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra and is on faculty at Central Penn College and Messiah University.