I feel very blessed to have played with many great musicians both locally and nationally having toured with Delfayo Marsalis(2005). Mark has also worked with Clark Terry, Azar Lawrence, Bennie Maupin, Billy Harper, Nicholas Payton, Ellis Marsallis, Donald Harrison, Wessel Anderson, Victor Goines, Hank Marr, and Pharez Whitted, as well as various gospel choirs around the country. Now I'm focusing on my own music!
My informal study started with my mother, Cynthia Gowens who is an accomplished composer of gospel music suitable for young ages. She not only exposed me to a great deal of music of the religious sect, but also to jazz at an early age. Then I studied composition, arranging, and music ministry formally with Dr. Raymond Wise, an accomplished pianist, composer, and founder of the Center for the Gospel Arts where I now teach. I also studied at the Fort Hayes Performing Arts Program (Columbus,Ohio) while in high school and continued my education at The Ohio State University where I'm currently pursuing a bachelors in Composition and a masters degree in Ethnomusicology.
You can see my schedual on the web.
