Mark Wood, award winning composer, international recording artist, and electric violinist, is widely acknowledged as the premier electric rock violinist of his generation. Mark studied under maestro Leonard Bernstein at Tanglewood and attended the Juilliard School of Music on full scholarship, which he left to pursue his vision of bringing rock violin into the mainstream. His first release, “Voodoo Violince,” is widely hailed as the quintessential rock violin record. He was a member of Trans-Siberian Orchestra for 13 years; receiving two platinum and three gold records from his work with them, and has toured and performed with Billy Joel, Celine Dion, Dee Snider’s Van Helsing’s Curse, Lenny Kravitz, Steve Vai, Roger Daltry of the Who and Jewel. Mark has been a featured guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and has had articles written about him in the New York Times, USA Today, and Time Magazine, among others. Arnold Steinhardt of the Guarnari String Quartet said in his new book Violin Dreams that “…Mark Wood is the future of violins.
In the capacity of composer, Mark won an Emmy award for music he composed for the Tour De France bike race on CBS-TV and has received three additional Emmy nominations for a variety of film and television projects, most notably for the music for the 1999 Winter Olympics opening show. As an inventor, Mark established Wood Violins, a company whose mission is to make Mark’s incredible instruments available to the general public.
In early 2008, Mark was elected to serve on the board of the prestigious American String Teacher Association (ASTA) and will bring his knowledge and expertise in the field of progressive string education to a much wider audience in the US. As educators across the country are quickly catching on to the importance of incorporating “American styles” teaching methods into their curriculum, Mark’s “Electrify Your Strings” series of music education programs have become enormously successful and in demand. In 2007 alone, EYS reached over 20,000 string students.
With the release of Mark’s first method book, aptly entitled “Electrify Your Strings” (published by Cherry Lane and distributed by Hal Leonard), Mark’s methods are now accessible to the general public.
Mark is currently starring in a national TV ad campaign for Pepsi. The music track is a Kanye West produced hip hop version of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” (featuring the rapper Nas).
Mark was a featured performer with rock icon Billy Joel for the historic “Last Play at Shea” concerts at Shea Stadium in New York in July 2008.
Mark Wood has several websites, including www.markwoodmusic.com, www.woodviolins.com and www.electrifyyourstrings.com
What to expect in Mark’s classes:
- “The fretted violin” featuring Bach
- Improvisation 101
- Electric strings and effects
- Viperisms: Exploring the art of the Viper
- How to utilize distortion with strings
- The art of the solo – 2/4/8/16 bars
- Blues and pentatonics
- How to use your ears
- Leading the Zeppelin Orchestra, for advanced players
 Rachel Barton Pine is one of the most-recognized names on the classical music scene today. She made her debut as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony at age 10.Since then she’s gone on to perform with orchestras all over the world, as well as with many of rock’s biggest names. She is currently touring with her metal band, Earthen Grave, in between performances in revered classical music venues the world over.As a young virtuoso, she uses her fame to extol the virtues of ALL genres of music – and her Viper helps her spread the word!
What to expect in Rachel’s classes: • Thrash 101 – learning some of the most challenging and fun riffs to your favorite metal tunes |
 Eric Gorfain, founder of The Section Quartet, combines classical training and a rock ‘n’ roll sensibility, distinguishing him as a unique musical talent.He’s played his violin with rock gods Jimmy Page & Robert Plant, Eric Clapton and Rod Stewart; pop divas Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson and Pink; mainstream artists Foo Fighters, Jonas Brothers and Fiona Apple; soul giants Ray Charles and James Brown; and alternative bands Wilco, Live and A Perfect Circle.
As a string arranger Eric has composed string parts to songs by Christina Aguilera (Beautiful), James Blunt (You’re Beautiful), Grant-Lee Phillips, Sam Phillips, Fiona Apple, Dokken, Bigelf, Maroon 5, Tesla, Sean Lennon, and A Perfect Circle, just to name a few. In addition to writing string arrangements and playing violin as a session musician, Eric has produced Japanese rock bands; composed and produced music for video games and television shows; mixed album projects in such styles as rock, pop, punk, world/Celtic, orchestral and the blues; and even provided music supervision for video games. Eric’s rock string quartet arrangements are now being published in sheet music form, beginning with songs by Radiohead, The Shins, Coldplay and Elvis Presley, with more planned for 2010 and beyond. What to expect in Eric’s classes:
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 Marcus Ratzenboeck is an accomplished violinist in both classical and rock music genres and has been an active and successful solo, chamber, orchestral, and studio performer for 20 years. After graduating from Florida State University with a Bachelors of Music in Violin performance, Marcus completed his Masters in Music at Indiana University. He was then appointed Principal Second Violin of the Louisville Orchestra and Adjunct Professor of Violin at the University of Louisville. Marcus was a member of the Louisville String Quartet often recording and touring. He was also Concertmaster of the Louisville Bach Society. Currently Marcus is a member of the platinum selling rock band “Tantric” serving as a songwriter and the electric violinist of the group performing on 7-string “Vipers”. Tantric is a rigorously touring band with over 8 top ten active rock chart singles and four album released under Warner and Maverick Labels. Look for upcoming tours and their fifth full length album release in 2011.
What to expect in Marcus’ classes: • Integrating classical technique into rock playing. |
 Dr. David Wallace. Whether playing classical viola with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center or Texas-style fiddle in his band “The Doc Wallace Trio,” David Wallace is at home in front of an audience. He has been reaching out to new audiences since he first toured elementary schools with his junior high school orchestra. Now a faculty member at The Juilliard School and a Senior Teaching Artist at the New York Philharmonic, Wallace also has performed for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the New York Philharmonic, the Taos Chamber Music Festival, the Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival, Young Audiences Inc., and countless new music festivals, chamber music series, hospitals, schools, churches, libraries, community centers, retirement homes, and Texas-style fiddle contests.
What to expect in David’s classes:
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 Sean Grissom, internationally known as the ‘Cajun Cellist’, has performed his unique brand of Country, Cajun, Classical, Swing, and Rock music from the streets and subways of New York City to the concert halls of Europe and the Far East. “O’Cello” – his hit one-man – runs the gamut of musical tastes and vaudeville humor… proving that you can NEVER have enough cello! Sean has been on the forefront of the ‘Alternative Styles’ development, and has performed at World and American Cello Congresses, as well as numerous festivals. He is an active board member of the Violoncello Society, and is on the board of the New Directions Cello Association. On the rock front, Sean has been performing in original music groups since he first starting playing on the streets of New York. He has played all of the clubs in New York from CBGB’s to Webster Hall and beneath Madison Square Garden. He did three tours with his final mentor – Papa John Creach, of The Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna- both here and in Europe. Because there is ALWAYS room for cello, he has performed and recorded with many of New York City’s singer/songwriters.
What to expect in Sean’s classes: • Cello explorations |
 As a violinist and Viper player, Bridgid Bibbens has performed with major artists in the rock, pop and jazz worlds, such as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), Gilby Clarke (Guns ‘N’ Roses), Johnny Colt (the Black Crowes), Mary J Blige, Jay-Z, John Mayer, Alicia Keys, Josh Groban, and Harry Connick, Jr.She has performed with Mark Wood and the Mark Wood Experience on numerous occasions, including a video for PBS and performances at the 2008, 2009, and 2010 NAMM shows in Anaheim, CA. She also freelances with bands throughout New York City and the northeast.Prior to coming to work for Mark Wood Music Productions, Bridgid – who received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music performance and education – taught orchestra in public school programs in the Central New York and Boston, MA area for over 10 years.
What to expect in Bridgid’s classes: • Classes for teachers utilizing Mark’s “Electrify Your Strings” method book on how to incorporate improvisation and rock into the public school orchestra classroom and the private studio |
 A graduate of Manhattanville College’s music program and NYU’s prestigious Music Technology program, Matt Vanacoro is a skilled pianist and composer with a strong background in contemporary music and jazz. Always a dynamic performer, Matt has studied jazz piano and guitar with New York Jazz Legends Charles Blenzig and Jay Azzolina. Matt has integrated his love of composing and theory with his keyboard skills to craft the perfect fit for a myriad of live situations.Matt has performed or recorded with local and national touring acts up and down the east coast in a range of styles from pop sensation Aaron Carter to NY jazz vocalist Amy Regan. His music has been featured in television and film, from Oprah Winfrey’s television show to films by Lionsgate.Matt’s biggest influences as a musician are Trey Anastasio of Phish, Chick Corea and Al DiMeola of Return to Forever, Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater and Thelonious Monk. He currently plays Nord Keyboards and Taylor Guitars.Website: www.facebook.com/mattvanacoromusic
What to expect in Matt’s classes:
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MEMBERS OF THE MARK WOOD EXPERIENCE WHO WILL BE PERFORMING AT THE FINAL CONCERTS! Laura Kaye is Vice President and co-owner of Mark Wood Music Productions, Wood Violins, and the Electrify Your Strings!™ (EYS) series of music education programs and is Mark’s wife. Along with their son Elijah (who frequently joins them onstage to play drums), Laura and Mark tour extensively with the EYS program throughout each year.
As a vocalist, Laura has a lyricism and musicality all her own and is a rock and roll chanteuse whose take-no-prisoners voice invokes the likes of Steven Tyler and Aretha Franklin. Her latest CD “Shake Off the Gravity,” was produced by award-winning composer and international recording artist Mark Wood (who co-wrote several of the tracks and plays his 7-string fretted Viper electric violin throughout), and features eight innovative, original songs that range from driving rock & roll to the intensely personal, and includes covers from Aerosmith, Humble Pie and Led Zeppelin. Over the course of a career that began when she was a teenager, Laura has toured extensively as lead vocalist and songwriter for “The Laura Kaye Band” (featured on WAPP-FM’s “New York’s Best Bands Album” – the same series that helped discover Bon Jovi and Twisted Sister). She was a soloist for the 20-piece rock-and-roll choir “New Voices of Freedom,” has worked with James Brown and Aretha Franklin, and has contributed to soundtracks and videos for U2, Lenny Kravitz, Sean Lennon, and the aforementioned Mark Wood. She sang on the Emmy-nominated composition “Dare to Dream,” which was featured by CBS Television during the opening ceremonies of the 1998 Winter Olympics broadcast, and her voice can be heard on many jingles on TV and radio. Her previous CD, “Sanctuary,” a collaboration with Mark Wood, was released in 2001. Along with Mark and the rest of the Mark Wood Experience, Laura appeared in The Mark Wood Experience – Prologue on WLIW21 during the summer and fall of 2009. Find out more about Laura! Visit www.laurakayemusic.com, www.facebook.com/laurakayemusic, and www.myspace.com/laurakayemusic |
 14-year old Elijah Wood is the son of Mark Wood and Laura Kaye and has been the drummer in The Mark Wood Experience since 2006. He has performed in front of thousands of people in a wide variety of performance settings over the years and has studied with several prominent teachers, most notably Trans-Siberian Orchestra drummer Jeff Plate, who is his mentor. In 2008, Elijah was the winner of Drumfight, a major NY area drum competition; thoroughly impressing the judges, including legendary drummer Carmine Appice with whom he performed at the 2010 NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA. Elijah is also a featured drummer on many of Mark Wood’s recordings for the CBS-TV national broadcasst of the Tour de France. While Elijah’s instrument of choice is drums, he also plays violin, piano, and guitar.
ELIJAH WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK FOR JAM SESSIONS! You can visit Elijah on MySpace and Facebook: www.facebook.com and www.myspace.com |
 Jon Bivona is considered by many in the industry to be one of the premier guitarists in New York City. His talents and presence in the industry are diverse and exceptional. His work can be heard on the radio, television, CDs and during live performances.His playing has been featured on numerous television programs and networks such as NBC, CBS, ABC, USA, ESPN, ESPN International, Animal Planet and Outdoor Life Network. Jon has done all the guitar tracks for the Tour de France for the last three years, including the Emmy Award winning 2002 theme. Jon’s work has also been featured on ESPN Sportscenter, the PGA Tour on USA Network, the US Open Tennis in 2003 and 2004 and the theme song for the Phil Simms All-Iron Man Show.Jon currently performs with a multitude of bands and artists with ranging genres and influences. These bands are Trans-Siberian Orchestra, The Mark Wood Band, The Sign, Lyza Wilson and the Shannon Breeze.Jon has been teaching guitar in the New York area for over 12 years to hundreds of students, teaching all styles and levels. Some of Jon’s students have gone on to become successful recording artists as well as graduates from some of the top music schools in the country. World-renowned guitarist Al Pitrelli from Megadeth and Trans-Siberian Orchestra trained him.Website: www.jonbivona.com |
 Born in New York City and raised in a musical and artistic environment, Paul Ranieri started studying music and playing bass at age 11. Influenced early on by the music from cartoons, science fiction and monster movies; and then later by all the greatest rock, funk, and jazz bass players, Paul is now involved in many diverse musical projects and has developed a melodically ferocious and powerful playing style all his own. With a degree in Jazz Performance from New York’s New School University and Mannes College of Music, Paul’s talents encompass a high level of technical expertise and professionalism. Paul is currently the bassist for producer, inventor, Emmy Award-winning composer, and highly acclaimed international recording artist Mark Wood, and has been touring the United States with Mark’s “Electrify Your Strings” series of music education programs; working alongside Mark to participate in the creation of rock orchestras with student musicians at schools and universities across the nation.Teacher and music educator since 1990, having taught at San Diego’s only professional bass shop and music school; Bass Alone and at Sam Ash Music University and also has a successful private teaching practice.Paul is also leader of the band Dangered Ace who’s debut CD “GoTenGo” is being released this summer. Website: www.myspace.com/ranieribass |
| This list is subject to change at any time. |
