“If you want to hear the best, you will want to catch Mark Edwards.”
 
Asian-American guitarist Mark Edwards has been hailed by the Montgomery Advertiser as a player who “transfers to another zone, effortlessly strumming, plucking and picking a variety of classical masterpieces with clarity.” Susan Brall writes, “If you want to hear the best, you will want to catch Mark Edwards performing…His talent is unbelievable.”
 
Where does Mark come from?
 
Mark’s love for the classical guitar began in a small town called Boaz, Alabama. In Boaz, Mark played in his first musical competition, under the guidance of Douglas Back. After winning his first competition in Boaz at age 12, Mark knew he has found his life’s calling.  Fast forward 20 years, 3 schools, and 4 music degrees and Mark is now a doctoral candidate researching the music of Napoleon Coste.
 
Where is Mark going?
 
Now a seasoned artist and performer, Mark has traveled the globe sharing his music with audiences from Russia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America. Even though every audience is unique, Mark is proud to have played in Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium, Saint Catherine’s Summer Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia and The Howard Theater in Washington D.C. As one of Maryland’s most gifted musicians, Mark joined the Maryland State Arts Council Touring Artist Roster. When not playing solo, Mark is making music with the Atlantic Guitar Quartet and the D.C. Guitar Trio. 
 
How did Mark getting there?
 
Since Mark partook in his first musical contest at age 12, he has gone on to win 34 competitions in Washington D.C., across North America, and around the world.  He was particularly honored to win in the 2010 Asia International Guitar Competition held in Bangkok, Thailand. Before winning in Southern Asia, Mark won first in major city centers in every corner of North America. During this time, Mark was lucky to win from Montreal to Dallas and from Portland to Connecticut. Besides competing, Mark has been featured on six recordings since 2000.
 
What else does Mark do?
 
Besides being an avid soccer and football fan, Mark makes time to teach at the Peabody Preparatory.  As a college teacher, Mark teaches guitar and music fundamentals at Frederick Community College.  Along with teaching, Mark directs the contemporary music program at Ark & Dove in Odenton, Maryland.