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| One of Irish music’s
most renowned players of the bodhrán, Mark Stone has performed
and taught across the United States, Canada, and Europe with many top
Irish musicians. Mark began his professional music career at the age of fifteen playing keyboards in local dance bands and doing studio work. He later focused his attention solely on Irish music playing ceili piano. His knowledge of chord movement and structure has been transferred to the bodhrán, resulting in a unique blend of rhythm and tones that has established Mark as a top player in the United States. He has a reputation as an accompanist with a subtle touch that can bring about a sense of power when the tune warrants it. As a teacher, Mark has taught workshops and master classes across the continent. He has taught for many years at the Augusta Heritage Center’s “Irish Week” in Elkins, WV, The Swannanoa Gathering’s “Celtic Week” in Asheville, NC, and The Mississippi River Celtic Music Festival’s “Tionol” in St. Louis along with classes in Nova Scotia, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, and Dallas. Mark teaches both beginning and intermediate/advanced classes specializing in techniques involving the use of both hands to fully explore all of the intricacies of a tune with the ultimate goal of “playing” the tune along with the lead instruments. |
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| Mark Stone got his start in Irish music with the All-Ireland
winning band, St. James’s Gate. He is best known for his work with
the renowned Irish fiddler, James
Kelly and guitarist Zan
McLeod. Mark’s recording credits include James Kelly’s
critically-acclaimed solo fiddle album for Capelhouse Records and with
the group Ceoltiori on their award-winning Women of Ireland CD for Maggie’s
Music Records. When at home, Mark performs with the band Poor
Man’s Fortune from Austin. Mark recently produced The
Curlews for Irish hammer dulcimer player Cliff Moses. Mark was born in the coastal city of Corpus Christi, Texas into a family steeped in Irish tradition. He still resides in Texas, living in San Antonio with his wife, Cheryl, and two sons, Colin Michael and James Brendan. By day, Mark teaches physics for O’Connor High School in north San Antonio. He recently served as Artistic Consultant to the O’Connor High School Band for their “Riverdance” competition show and taught their entire drum line to play the bodhrán! |
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 Mark Stone & John Skelton |
“If you must play the
bodhrán, play it this way!” -Billy McComiskey introducing Mark Stone in Los Angeles “Players such as America’s Mark Stone have added to the bodhrán’s luster, owing to their sensitive and often unconventional approaches.” -Myron Bretholz for MusicHound Folk, The Essential Album Guide |
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| PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS | ||||
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TEACHING CREDITS
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