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Mark's exposure to music began early in his life. He
listened to his father playing the drums at his
father's band rehearsals. Playing along with records
and kids much older than him, were the beginnings. He
began private study under Rob Gottfried as a teenager.
As his skills developed, he began playing
professionally at the age of 15.
Studying marching, wind ensemble, and jazz, Mark
received the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for excellence
in his high school's jazz program. Mark's talent
helped his high school's jazz band's rhythm section
first place at the Boston Music Festival with a
ranking of outstanding. In his senior year he was
awarded the drum chair in Connecticut's Northern
Regional Jazz Ensemble.
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After high school, Mark attended Northeastern
University, earning a bachelor's degree in music
business. In addition to his studies, he co-founded
the Boston based trio, Canine Guru (original groove
based rock). The group released two self produced LPs,
the self titled "Canine Guru," and the follow up,
"Agodoga." After departing Canine Guru, Mark then
expanded his musical knowledge as a free lance
musician, performing with the likes of Chris Loftlin
(Brian McKnight), Jeff Lockhart (Brian McKnight,
Walter Beasley), Yasko Kubota (New Kids on the Block)
and many others.
In 1999 Mark began studying tabla with Misha Masud in
New York City. To further himself, he relocated to the
city. He continued to work as a free lance musician.
Most of his experiences came via The Village (east &
west), Harlem, and Brooklyn. Mark continues to answer
calls from New York for sessions.
Having returned to the Hartford, CT area in 2002, Mark
has established a large private student base. In 2004
he joined the Vic Firth education team as a nationally
recognized private percussion teacher. In addition to
teaching private lessons, he has continued to perform
as a free lance musician. Mark has successfully
maintained working in eleven projects over the last 3
years. The projects covered a variety of musical
styles ranging from: Jazz, Fusion, Funk, Rock, Motown,
Worldbeat, Brazilian, Gospel, Folk, to playing in
orchestra pits for musicals.
Mark continues to study North Indian Classical music
via tabla in New York with Misha Masud. He also
currently studies percussion in Long Island with Dom
Famularo.
Mark plays Brady, Yamaha and custom built drums of his
own manufacture and Vic Firth sticks.
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