Mark grew up playing the popular music of the time (i.e. Billy Joel and Elton John). After getting into the progressive rock scene (ie. Pink Floyd, Yes, ELP, King Crimson, and Genesis) in late high school and early college, he took up studying Jazz and Classical music while working on his first bachelors degree at Syracuse University. However, that degree was not in music, but rather in Mathematics.

He has since earned his second bachelors degree, this time in Music, and has gone on to get his Masters in Jazz Performance and Composition at Queens College.

Nowadays, Mark fills his time with regular practice, composition, meditative pursuits, and writing arrangements for his 14-piece Steely Dan tribute band, Stealin' Dan. He also works part time at the Levels Youth Center in Great Neck (full circle now), and occasionally musically directs shows on the high school level. He has most recently composed the main opening theme for the American Qigong Association's "Summit 2000" in Washington DC, as well as composing music for the videos which were made from that event. He can't wait to see what's next! ;)