At the age of sixteen, after an accelerated high school graduation, Mark Powers moved to Minneapolis, where he studied drumset performance for two years at Music Tech. He has taken private lessons and/or masterclasses with Gordy Knudtson (of the Steve Miller Band), Marv Dahlgren (co-author of 4-Way Coordination), Paul Wertico (of the Pat Metheny Group) and the legendary Ed Thigpen.



Since leaving Music Tech with a diploma in Professional Percussion Performance, Mark has divided his time between teaching and performing.



As a private drumset instructor, Mark Powers currently maintains a roster of about 50 students in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Also conducting group percussion programs, Mark Powers is often Artist-in-Residence at area elementary and middle schools- facilitating hand drum circles, leading ‘Junk Jam’ workshops, teaching West African drumming styles and directing percussion ensembles.



Stretching internationally, Mark Powers has performed and/or studied percussion in China, Thailand and Ghana, West Africa.



Mark’s continually growing list of performing and recording credits covers the full gamut of styles, including appearances with Corey Sterling (Kenny Wayne Shepherd), Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Devon Evans (Bob Marley and the Wailers), the late Frankie Yankovic, Jack Grassel, Bob Maynard, Bob Ventre, Bob Levy and John Daniel, among many others. He has worked musically with Hollywood Images, the Ronald McDonald House, Oshkosh B’Gosh, Narrator Tracks, the Aveda/Horst Institute, the Minnesota Twins and the Delta Queen Steamboat Company.



Along with current and former bandmates, Mark Powers has played shows with Head East, The Radiators, Lee Rocker, Buckwheat Zydeco, Junior Brown, Brave Combo and Pat Benatar and has received the following awards:



- 2000 Wisconsin Band of the Year Award

- Winner of 1999 Central Wisconsin Battle of the Bands

- 1998 Wisconsin Horizon Award

- 1995 Minnesota Band of the Year Award

- 1995 Minnesota Academy of Music Award

- Two consecutive annual inclusions in the 'Stars of the Big Bands' music publication



Mark has written for Percussive Notes and Fever Pitch magazines, The Healthy Independent Newspaper and has published seven percussion compositions- all available from R.G.M., LLC online at www.reallygoodmusic.com