What a show to remember.  It was AWESOME!  Mark also invited the Higley High School Choir and Orchestra to perform with him on a few songs!  What a thrill for all those young adults.

MARK WOOD’S TSO STORY

I’ll never forget the phone call I received over 30 years ago from my dear friend and brilliant guitarist, Al Pitrelli. He shared with me that famed rock producer Paul O’Neill was putting together a rock orchestra and they wanted ME to oversee the “orchestra” part of this metal rock band. “Of course,” I exclaimed! I studied at Juilliard and played both rock and classical styles on my hand made electric violin. The band was to be called the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The rest is history….

For over 15 years, I was involved with catapulting this great band into multi-platinum status as we performed multiple concerts daily in arena sized venues for 30,000+ people!

Several years later, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister fame created “Van Helsing’s Curse” (VHC) specifically with me in mind to be the electric string master of that stage extravaganza.

Both of these immense and important experiences led me to creating my new concert experience.

I’ve done my work, and now it is time for me to share my new vision of presenting a holiday and year-round concert experience featuring music from TSO and VHC, along with iconic and legendary rock classics, as well as my original compositions.

Mark Wood’s dexterity, ferocity, texture and attack of playing almost invariably lead to comparisons with some of the rock era’s most renowned guitarists. Comparisons, however, cannot come close to capturing the electricity, passion, and innovation exhibited in all of his very unique music.

In an industry where originality is a highly prized commodity, recording artist, performer, producer, inventor, Emmy award-winning composer, and music education advocate Mark Wood is truly an original.

Mark Wood has spent the past four decades electrifying the orchestra industry – literally. Dubbed The Eddie Van Halen of the Violin World by PBS, Wood is the premier electric violinist of his generation who pioneered and innovated the entire genre.

Wood is a world-renowned performer who rose to fame as string master and original member of the internationally acclaimed Trans Siberian Orchestra. A successful solo artist in his own right, Wood writes and records original music for film and television, has released seven solo albums, and tours with his band The Mark Wood Experience (MWE) which features his wife and partner, vocalist Laura Kaye.

In addition to his continued solo and commission work, Wood has collaborated with and appeared alongside some of the biggest names in music such as Lenny Kravitz, Celine Dion, and Kanye West. As a member of his touring band, Wood had the honor of performing with the legendary Billy Joel for both historic final concerts at Shea stadium, sharing the stage with Paul McCartney, Steven Tyler, and Roger Daltry. He also starred in a Kanye West produced national Pepsi TV commercial and has appeared on the world’s most venerable stages including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Madison Square Garden. His commission credits include The Juilliard School and extensive TV broadcast music including The Winter Olympics and The Tour de France (for which he won an Emmy). He is featured in his own TED talk, and his YouTube channel (markwoodtv) has over 4 million views.

Wood began his career with a full scholarship to the prestigious Juilliard School in New York and had the privilege of studying under Maestro Leonard Bernstein at the Tanglewood Music Program. He first turned the string establishment on its head in the early 1970’s with his invention of the first solid body electric violin. His company Wood Violins is the premier manufacturer of electric violins, violas and cellos worldwide, and he holds the patent for the first-ever self-supporting violin. The company stands behind its claim to have made the most important change to the violin in 400 years and is often referred to as the “Stradivarius of electric violins.” Mark’s signature electric violin invention, the Viper, is the instrument of choice for many of the world’s top string players.

But Mark’s true passion is music education. His groundbreaking program Electrify Your Symphony  (EYS)  celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2020 and, pivoted entirely to support music teachers by providing empowering online experiences during the pandemic. Offering in-person and online options, EYS is an immersive workshop and concert series for school music departments that boosts student self-esteem and helps raise much-needed funds. Mark and his team of Artist Mentors visit upwards of 75 schools per year. EYS has been featured on NBC-TV’s The Today Show, CBS Evening News, CBS Morning News, and regional media outlets. 

Mark has dedicated his career to providing educators with the opportunity to ignite their students’ passions and to inspire students to open their minds and unlock their potential. His book “Electrify Your Strings: The Mark Wood Improvisational Violin Method” is regarded as the definitive electric violin method book. Wood is passionate about providing educators and students with the tools they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond. His new curriculum, “Rockin’ Strings,” developed with assistance from Dr. Bob Gillespie from Ohio State University, is changing the way prospective music educators are taught at the college and university level.

As his latest endeavor, Mark is extremely honored to be partnering with Alfred Music and SmartMusic with his music, arrangements, and performances.

A genuine family man, Wood runs his operations alongside his wife, business partner, and longtime collaborator Laura Kaye out of their home in New York. In addition to EYS, Wood and his family run the annual Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp and Festival, now in its 12th year, as well as The Mark Wood Music Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting music and the arts in America’s underserved communities.

With hundreds of thousands of students reached, millions of dollars raised to help high school music departments across the US, and countless school orchestra programs saved from the chopping block because of funds raised through his efforts, Mark Wood has proven himself a man of ideas, action and results. Showing no signs of slowing down, the multi-faceted visionary continues to write, perform, record, invent and inspire. As a matter of fact, Mark Wood is just getting started.

To see more information on Mark and his schedule, go to: The Mark Wood Trans-Siberian Experience — Mark Wood (markwoodmusic.com) 

For more concert information for the Higley Center for the Performing Arts, go to  Higley Center - Official Site