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Mark Shelton
performer, educator, innovator, composer, producer, & high energy entertainer
Mark Shelton leapt at the chance to play the snare drum in the elementary school band program in McNairy County, TN. It didn’t quite hit him about how many drums he might have to carry around in the future.
In his one-man show, Mark draws upon a background that includes classical, folk, pop, jazz, gospel, ethnic, and new music to create an engaging collage with wide audience appeal. Mark entertains (and educates) with a fun, fast-paced, high energy style, as he romps and stomps his way through an arsenal of percussion paraphernalia including marimba, doumbec, bones, bodhran, cajon, hammered dulcimer, handpan, electronic percussion, and even some "body music."
While Visiting Artist at Wayne Community College and Coastal Carolina Community College, both in North Carolina, Mark honed his soloist skills performing at schools, concert halls, on television, and in churches. In 1984, he was a prizewinner in The National Association of Composers USA Young Performers Competition and in 1986 he co-founded the harp and percussion duo, TALEA, which premiered new works for this unique ensemble.
Mark has appeared as percussion soloist as an artist with the Young Audiences Arts in Education rosters in Dallas, Houston, and Beaumont, TX. He freelances in the Dallas area in a variety of musical settings. For over fifteen years, Mark played percussion regularly as part of the Calvary Church of Irving Worship Band. Currently, Mark plays and records with Gateway Worship.
A current member of the Percussive Arts Society's Interactive Drumming Committee, Mark presented an arts-in-education demonstration at the 2008 Percussive Arts Society International Convention and was facilitator of the Friday Night Drum Circle at PASIC 2009.
Mark is an artist on the roster of the Percussion Marketing Council.as accepted onto the artist roster for the Percus
In an attempt to turn from his sedentary ways, Mark has taken up running and consuming more dietary fiber. (He’s actually won his division in a few races and was the overall winner in the 5000 meter run at the 2005 Texas Masters Championships.) | 
