Mark was raised in Southeast Oklahoma near McAlester, where he began playing music as early as age 10. He developed proficiency in playing the trap set during his middle school, high school, and early college years. Additionally, he began studying vocal music under the guidance of Mrs. Deanna Cox at the age of 10. During high school, Mark participated in two music-related mission trips, including an international trip, with the Oklahoma Baptist All-State Youth Choir and Orchestra, traveling to Boston, Massachusetts, and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Upon entering college, Mark served as the Director of Worship for the Eastern Oklahoma State College Baptist Collegiate Ministry, where he led a praise team and band comprising ten college students. He earned an Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in vocal music from Eastern Oklahoma State College. During this time, Mark also developed a deep passion for playing the piano and guitar. He later completed a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Vocal Music Education at East Central University (ECU) in Ada, Oklahoma. In 2008, he was named Outstanding Male Vocalist by ECU’s Department of Music. While at ECU, Mark studied voice with Dr. J. Steven Walker and Dr. Melody Baggech. During his undergraduate years, he served as the part-time Minister of Music at Fittstown Baptist Church, where he led the praise team and served as the youth minister.

In the spring of 2009, Mark served as a long-term substitute at Highland West Junior High in the Moore Public School District, teaching middle school choirs and a special needs chorus for the entire junior high school district. Subsequently, he was hired by Lakeview Baptist Church in Norman, Oklahoma, to lead the choir and praise team. In the fall of 2009, Mark became the Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Band Director for the Holdenville Public School District. After completing his tenure at Holdenville, he worked at Dell Inc. as a Technical Sales Representative, responsible for diagnosing and designing IT infrastructures for over 400 small and medium-sized businesses.

Seeking to further his formal music education, Mark was accepted into the Master of Music (M.M.) program in Choral Conducting at the University of Oklahoma. While there, he served as a Graduate Assistant to Dr. Christina Giacona, Dr. Casey Gerber, Dr. Richard Zielinski, and Mr. Alan Hiserodt. He graduated in the spring of 2015 with a Master of Music Education degree, specializing in choral conducting.

While completing his graduate studies, Mark was hired in the fall of 2013 by East Central University to teach a range of classes, including Music in Life, World Music, The History of Western Music – Bach to Present, Private Vocal Instruction, University Singers, and University Chorale. His tenure at ECU ended in May 2018 as he relocated to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to pursue a doctorate in choral conducting. During his time as a choral conducting candidate at USM. Mark sang in The Southern Chorale and toured South Korea, New York (Carnegie Hall), and performed at two Louisiana ACDA conventions.

Currently, Mark resides in Oklahoma and is the full-time music minister at Fairview Baptist Church. He is currently taking an extended break from his doctoral studies.

Mark’s life verse is Roman’s 12:1-2.