Mark’s role as a Guest Artist, educator, and performer.

Involving a guest artist in the beginning stages of a concert can measurably increase the success of an event. Mark details the director’s, student’s, and guest artist's roles to one another and clarifies the importance of team cooperation.

Jazz Band Clinics

Mark emphasizes basic principles of music, which include the importance of style, interpretation, conception, dynamics, blend, intonation and rhythm. In this workshop, Mark defines improvisation, explains the process of learning how to improvise, and explains how students can teach themselves to the process of jazz improvisation.

The Complete Yoga Breath and Upper Register Trumpet Workshop

Developing the upper register begins with effectively compressing air using the complete yoga breath. Mark demonstrates on the trumpet an even and big sound in over 4 octaves while maintaining a relaxed state. A diagram and literature are provided to each student during the clinic and Mark demonstrates his technique by actually having one of the trumpet players in the clinic hit notes they have never been able to play before.

Succeeding in a Career in Music Workshop

In his workshops, Mark defines key points for succeeding in the music industry;

• Preparation needed for a career in performance and what is expected of a musician on a gig.
• Business skills required by musicians and how to get work.
• The importance of a back up plan and getting a degree.
• Entering the arena of the professional musician: attitude, ethics, dealing with contractors and clients.
• Maintaining one's positive attitude.
• Coping with performance anxiety: A psychological perspective.

Mark clearly professes the process of overcoming obstacles to meeting these goals and achieving professional and personal success.

Mark leads and performs in six of his own wildly diverse musical groups which cover a multitude of genres from Swing to Dixieland, Be-Bop, and classical. Mark's bands continually perform for Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, fortune 500 companies, and jazz festivals. Mark has two solo CDs that are frequently played on Jazz stations around the country. As an experienced businessman, performer, contractor, and band leader, Mark offers a unique perspective of the music industry and shares this insight in his clinics.

Here’s what band directors said about their experience with Mark’s featured performer workshop at “Disney’s Magic Days Featured Performer Workshops”...

Mark was great to work with, fantastic soloist, amazing musician and this was one of the best opportunities our kid’s ever had”. Director; Scott Adkins of Waterford Ketering HS Symphonic Band from Waterford Ketering, Illinois

“Mark was an excellent role model for musicianship”. Director; Peter Tummillo of Jefferson Township H.S. from Oak Ridge, New Jersey

“Mark was complementary but still helpful and reinforced our teaching, adding credibility”. Director; Terry Krueger of Wautoma High School, Wautoma, Wisconsin