Drummer, classical percussionist, and music educator, Mark Dodge has been playing and teaching music for more than 25 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Maine with his Bachelors Degree in Percussion Performance, Mark went on to study privately with drumming guru Alan Dawson. In 1997 he moved to New York City and has spent the last decade working with various jazz and pop ensembles as a freelance drummer and studio musician. In 2002 Mark entered the Guitar Center Drum Off competition and advanced to win the regional title and a trip to the finals in LA. Mark has performed at some of New York's top jazz venues, including The Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Sweet Rhythm, Knitting Factory, Symphony Space and Merkin Concert Hall. He has recorded several albums spanning a wide range of music including Tangents with the jazz group Between Green, Blue Glitter Fish with singer/actress Cady McClain, End of August by George Petit, Simple Minded Way by Steve French and Gin Blossoms vocalist Robin Wilson, and on jazz pianist Leslie Pinchik's forthcoming album, Quartets. Mark also performs as a classical percussionist, and is the principal percussionist with the Westchester Symphonic Winds in Tarrytown, New York. Mark was awarded his Master of Arts Degree in 2005 from The City College of New York where he studied with Robby Ameen and John Patitucci. He teaches percussion at Eastchester High School in addition to his busy performing and recording schedule. Mark endorses Innovative Percussion products.