About

Mark’s musical journey…

Mark has been a public school music teacher and working musician since the early 1980s.  After earning Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music from the University of Minnesota, he taught music in the Burnsville (MN) Schools for 34 years, mentoring hundreds of future singers and players, and earning numerous honors and awards along the way.    He’s performed in several Twin Cities bands over the years (including The Mraz Brothers, Raggs, The Mill City Players, Mother’s Hot Dish, Sloppy Joels, Zeppo, Super Tramps) and has been a first-call sub for many others.   His major influences include: Billy Joel, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, Dave Brubeck, Ben Folds, James Taylor, and Frank Sinatra.   Since retiring from teaching in 2016, Mark has been able to devote his time to writing and performing, working primarily as a soloist in pubs, wineries, resorts, restaurants, country clubs and the like.  He’s also served as a church musician for the past 30 years.