Educational Services

Strike, Scrape, & Shake Show

Arts in Education Program (Grades K-8)

Entertaining and Educational !  Mark treats students to  high energy expert playing on several members of the percussion family. Students get into the act with a little "hambonin,'" as Mark talks about the history of percussion.  Hundreds of workshops for elementary students, performances in dozens and dozens of schools and a brief stint  as a  school band director provide a wealth of experience as Mark educates and entertains  audiences from elementary through junior high.  Instruments include Marimba, Snare Drum, Spoons, Hammered Dulcimer, Doumbec, and Hang.  

Lots of sound! Lots of variety! Lots of FUN!

Circle of Creation

Percussion / Improvisation /Team Building Activity  

(Ages 8-80+)

Mark Shelton rolls into your event with over two dozen percussion instruments and a HANDS ON workshop that combines energy, entertainment, and education AND stimulates creativity.  Whether it is a room of fourth graders improvising drum solos or adults sculpting a groove,  Mark brings his special brand of teaching and leadership to every drum circle session.  

This fast paced class focuses on improvisation as participants get to create their own music with hand drums, bells, maracas, and more.  The workshop can be customized  from thirty to fifty minutes and Mark will furnish enough instruments for up to thirty participants per session.  

Clinics / Masterclasses / Workshops

Mark has been a part of the teaching staff of the Winter Festival of Acoustic Music in the Dallas area  (12+ years) and Houston's Summer Acoustic Music Festival.  

Why not make Mark a part of your next dulcimer retreat or folk music event?

Workshop Topics include:

• Percussion Techniques on the Hammered Dulcimer
• Practice and Memorization Techniques
• Bodhran Basics
• Improvisation for Beginners
• Intro to Hand Percussion
• Fifteen Ways to Play a Melody on the Hammered Dulcimer
• Tips for Performers (Getting a Gig / Keeping a Gig)

Two decades as a musician at Calvary Church of Irving (TX) coupled with his work as percussion Instructor at Christ For the Nations Institute make Mark a great choice for a Worship Conference clinician.   He would love to bring his "Percussion in Contemporary Worship" masterclass to your area.

Masterclasses are also available for High School and Middle School Percussionists.