Mark began talking private guitar lessons from Tom Hess in 1993 and continued until 1998. He then went to earn the Bachelors of Music degree at Berklee College of Music. Upon graduation, Mark was asked to join the HESS band as its bass player. Mark is now a professional musician and guitar/bass teacher. He played bass on the HESS Opus 2 CD and his own song appeared on Guitars At An Exhibition: Volume 2 CD. Mark is a guest columnist at guitar9.com He currently teaches music in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.