His awards include the André Marchal Award for Excellence in Performance, Duquesne University 1996, first prize in the Fan Kay Sparrow Music Ministry Competition in Charlotte, NC, 1997, three recital prizes from the Oundle (England) International Festival for Young Organists in 1997, and as finalist in the Rodland competition in 2000. Mark has had the unique experience to travel and play so many fine organs at a young age. Performing at St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City (1990 and 1995), and throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland as an American Field Service exchange student in 1991, Mark became inspired to follow a career in organ and church music. He made his European recital debut in a concert tour of Great Britain including St. Paul's Cathedral in London, St. Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh (Fringe Festival) and Chichester Cathedral in 1998. Mark has also performed recitals throughout the eastern United States as well as the AGO chapters of San Diego, CA and Montgomery, AL. Mark's first publication, "Twentieth Century Concert Spirituel, " which addresses the aesthetics of programming sacred music in Roman Catholic traditions, appeared in the September 1996 issue of the GIA Quarterly, Chicago, IL. He is currently Director of Music at Holy Name of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, Rochester, NY.

One of the most memorable moments for Mark at Eastman was the audition day. It was March 1999, and he was driving 14 hours from North Carolina to the northern reaches of Rochester. All was well until only 35 miles outside of Rochester - three feet of snow fell! Under stress and determination, the last 35 miles of the trek (made in his father's well-equipped Jeep) was completed, literally, through snow drifts on back roads in about 4 hours. Needless to say, Rochester was paralyzed, the auditions continued the next day, and with little preparation Mark played a charged audition program of Bach (Trio No. 2), Howells (Psalm 1, book 1) and Eben (Hommage a Dietrich Buxtehude). His long-time dream since high school, admission to one of the nation's most esteemed music schools and organ departments was now a reality.

Currently, Mark is completing the last of the academic requirements for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree. His second DMA recital will include Sowerby "Pageant," Widor "Symphonie VI," Bach organ partita "Sei gegrusset, Jesu gutig," and other works by Eben and Rossi. Future engagements in 2003 include St. Paul's Cathedral in Buffalo, NY, Montgomery Alabama American Guild of Organists Chapter recital featuring Vierne's "Messe Solennelle," and various church concert programs in Florida and North Carolina.