our Teachers

Mark is a guitarist, songwriter, and educator based out of Austin, Texas. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies. He earned his Masters in Jazz Studies in May 2023 from the University of Texas in Austin, where he served as a teaching assistant under the tutelage of Diego Rivera.

As an accomplished guitarist, Mark works regularly as both a leader and a sideman. He has performed in many notable venues across Texas, including the Meyerson Symphony Hall, Parker Jazz Club, The Elephant Room, Klyde Warren Park, the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival, Monk’s Jazz, Common Grounds, Stubb’s, & others. He has done session work at The Panhandle House, Reeltime Audio, 5th Street Studios, Cedar Creek Recordings, and elsewhere. As a jazz musician, he has been fortunate enough to perform or work with luminaries Branford Marsalis, Helen Sung, Rodney Whitaker, Chad LB, John Fedchock, Eric Alexander, Johnny Pate, Altin Sencalar, David Lord, & others. As a studio musician, Mark’s playing can be heard on “Right On Time” by Half Deluxe, “Questions For Winners” by the Orange Peeling Committee, “Sol y Motion” by Sol y Motion, “World Spins” by Anisha, Yu Nishiyama’s award-winning “Gloomy Suite,” Sara Finkle’s EP “Sink or Swim,” as well as on upcoming albums by Sam Dimov, Jason Grant, Pierson Keating, & others.

As an educator, Mark has advanced training and experience teaching jazz performance, improvisation, music composition, music theory, & songwriting. Additionally, he serves as a judge for the TMEA All-State jazz guitar competition. He is a gifted teacher with over eight years of professional teaching experience. Mark takes a holistic approach to teaching: he uses the experience of learning as an avenue for self-expression and self-betterment. He works closely with his students to clarify and accomplish their personal goals. Over the years, he has developed specialties in teaching improvisation, songwriting, ear-training, cultivating a healthy practice routine, and other areas.