Mark started studying the guitar in 1967 with Bill Loughman Jr.; he developed an early interest in classical guitar, and continued with Tony JanFlone from 1971-1976-He took a master class with Carlos Barbosa-Lima, then continued his studies at Duquesne University with Robert Clarke-
He moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1984, and lived there until 1999, returning to his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA-While in Boston, he studied under the late jazz educator, Charlie Banacos; he also studied with Mick Goodrick, the author of THE ADVANCING GUITARIST and other publications-
Mark has played in a wide range of musical genres; solo guitar, duos with vocalists, saxophonists, bassists; trio and quartet settings; he led two groups in Boston, Crosscurrents, and Oneira-
In 1996, he released his first CD, SILENT WITNESS/ONEIRA, a recording of original music for acoustic and electric guitar, in a solo, trio, and quartet setting-
In 1997, he arranged and played on vocalist Carolyn Thompson's CD, THE FIRST TIME, with bassist Ron Carter and drummer Lewis Nash-that year, he also produced, arranged and played on vocalist Pam Pryor's CD, PRYOR KNOWLEDGE-
In 1998, he released a solo CD, UNCOVERED, a recording of jazz and contemporary standards-
When he returned to Pittsburgh, he became active on the local scene and has recently been playing with vocalist Patrick Arena in a duo setting; he produced and played on Patrick's 2007 CD, NIGHT AND DAY-
In 2008, he released MYTH AND FEELING, a solo guitar CD, to coincide with his performances at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy-