An alumni of Western Michigan University’s school of music, awarded the Janson’s Jazz musician’s scholarship and a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, awarded the Professional Music and Avedis Zildjian scholarship, Mark has been involved in many different music genre’s. His first large scale tour happened in 1985 for Howard Jones’s North American tour. He has gone on to perform with many acts and artists such as BOBBY McFERRIN, GORDON LIGHTFOOT, LOOKING GLASS, EARL KLUGH, MITCH RYDER, K.C. & the SUNSHINE BAND, TONY ORLANDO, JUSTINE BLAZER, JON
SECADA, Concord recording artist, jazz Pianist HELEN SUNG and Chicago renowned Jazz Saxophonist ARI BROWN.

Mark has used his versatile style in recording with David Foster, Island Recording Artist Jude Cole, George Clinton, Oleta Adams, Brea Starr, Justine Blazer, What It Is, Angela Engelman, Johnny Lang, Mandi Layne & the Lost Highway, KayLyn Pace and Kari Holmes among others. He also performs on many commercials for radio and T.V. and has worked in show orchestra’s for productions with the Cleveland Institute of Music orchestra, the Mid Michigan Orchestra, Annie, Guys and Dolls, Damned Yankee’s and West Side Story. Mark is also an in demand drummer locally in his home state of Michigan. He has worked extensively with acts and artists ranging from Country to Hip Hop.

Rudimental training and their application to the drum set.

Moeller and Gladstone technique:
Matched German, traditional and French grip.

Foot Technique:
Heel up and down and heel toe, 4 way independence, phrasing and voicing on the drum set

Chart Reading:
Figure interpenetration, Chart writing , working with a bass player, Polyrhythms, Odd Meters, linear drumming, metric modulation and style interpretation.

Mark also utilizes the teaching methods of Gary Chaffee, The
late great Gary Chester, The late Ed Uribe, The late Ed Kaspik, Steve Wilkes and John Ramsey all whom Mark has studied with.