Mr. Mark Music Lessons
About
With my service, you get a music professional who cares. My main aim is to help the student improve the quality of their lives through music by learning their favorite songs, deepening their understanding of music & how music works, and teaching them how to use music as a creative and/or emotional outlet. I have more than 12 years of playing experience and over 8 years of teaching experience.
A little bit about me:
—I graduated Summa Cum Laude from The University of North Texas with a degree in Jazz Studies.
—Starting in August, I will be a teaching assistant for the University of Texas' jazz program as a Master's student, where I will be coaching jazz ensembles.
—I've written my own original songs since I first picked up a guitar, and have had many iterations of musical groups who have played my original music throughout the DFW area. Most recently, I've begun recording and producing my music as a solo artist, some of which can be found under the name "Mr. Mart"
—As a sideman, I played guitar on Sara Finkle's album "Sink or Swim," & Yu Nishiyama's jazz composition "The Gloomy Suite," which won her an ASCAP Herb Alpert young composer award. I was fortunate enough to play with Jazz greats John Fedchock, Eric Alexander, & Michele Nicole while attending UNT. I played in a variety of bands and ensembles, covering a variety of styles, throughout my time in college. I have also performed professionally as a classical guitarist and have some classical guitar composition & arrangement projects currently in the works. My own jazz trio, "The Mr. Mark Trio," focuses on transforming modern-day pop repertoire into vehicles for deep, improvisatory expression.
I teach guitar to students of all levels, ranging from total beginner to music professionals. I also teach electric bass, ukelele, piano & voice to students at beginning and intermediate levels.
Lessons for some of my more advanced students can cover: Songwriting, Jazz Styles, Improvisation, Composition, Music Theory, Ear Training, & Genre-Specific Guitar Technique (classical, folk, jazz, etc.).
I love seeing a student make a breakthrough. Whether those breakthroughs are technical, conceptual, or emotional, I try to celebrate every step that we take together towards their goals. I get so much satisfaction from helping someone develop into the musician they'd like to be.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I typically try to help the student figure out exactly what it is they are hoping to achieve in the short and long term, then develop a plan of action to help get them to their goals. Each student is entirely different, with entirely different interests, and I think it is important to develop a unique approach that caters specifically to the needs and goals of each individual student.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Education:
-Bachelor's of Music, Jazz Studies from The University of North Texas, Summa Cum Laude
-Attending the University of Texas next year as a Master's Student & Teaching Assistant in their jazz program, where I will be coaching jazz combos.
Other Training:
-I was a Supplemental Instructor for political science for two years while attending UNT. Awarded multiple awards for the quality of my teaching, including "Supplemental Instructor of the Year."
-Taught and developed curriculum for daycare music classes for a year and a half.
-I have been teaching one-on-one music lessons both privately and for music studios in the DFW area for the last four years. I first started teaching private lessons at 16 years old.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My rates are as follows:
$70 per hour
$35 per half-hour
Discounts available:
$60hour/$30half-hour, when buying an 8-lesson package (two months)
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching shortly after I started playing live. As people heard me improvise, or play my original music, they would reach out for lessons. This was while I was in high-school. I started teaching more seriously while attending college, and more frequently after graduating.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with students of all ages and backgrounds. I've had students with ages ranging from six years old to seventy-six years old. I've had students who are professional musicians and professional music teachers. I've had students who are now songwriters and jazz performers. I've had guitar students, bass students, ukelele students, voice and piano students.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Find someone who works for you! Every student is different, and the best teacher in the world may not be the best teacher for what you need.
Most importantly, find a teacher who is willing to adapt around you, and assign/encourage work at a rate that is manageable for you, and keeps you engaged with what you are doing.