Mark Powers: drummer/percussionist

photo by Kristin Hiatt Photography

It’s an honor to have shared the stage over the years with artists as diverse as Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen, Devon Evans (of Bob Marley and the Wailers), Clyde Stubblefield, Rolling Stones saxophonist Tim Ries, Bad Company’s Lynn Sorensen, [America’s Polka King] the late Frankie Yankovic, disco sensations The Afrodisiacs, 80’s nerd-rockers The Spazmatics, Mbrascatu, King Black Acid, Portland Cello Project, Floater and more.

I feel equally as fortunate to have contributed drumset and/or percussion tracks to a number of incredible recording projects, including releases by M.Ward, She & Him, Mbrascatu, Haley Johnsen, Falls, Amanda Richards, Robert Wynia & The Sound, Drumattica, Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons, Elke Robitaille, Cult of Orpheus and others.

I’ve also had the pleasure of appearing on tracks that feature Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys; Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey of R.E.M.; Neko Case; and k.d. lang.

See more on my Discography page.

Over the past 20+ years, I’ve regularly maintained weekly private lesson rosters of anywhere from 20-65 students. Travel opportunities have also allowed me to perform and teach throughout North America, as well as in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the South Pacific.

As a teaching artist, I have facilitated my percussion programs – including my “Percussion of the Past, Present & Future” assembly, “TrashBamBOOM!” workshop (formerly “Junk Jam”), “Sights & Sounds of Ghana” presentation and “Hand Drumming Crash Course” classes – in over 200 schools and organizations around the world. I also present at youth/adult correctional facilities and lead businesses and organizations through leadership and team building training in my highly interactive “Rhythms at Work” sessions.

I authored Slammin’ Simon’s Guide to Mastering Your First Rock & Roll Drum Beats! (in English and Spanish), Slammin’ Simon’s 20 Essential Drum Rudiments, Slammin’ Simon’s Beginner’s Bundle and Solo in Style – a collection of original drumset solos for beginning/intermediate performers (published by Alfred Music). I’m also honored to be co-author (along with Dave Black) of Alfred’s Drumset Method, Book 2; and co-author (with Walfredo Reyes, Sr., Elliot Fine and David Stanoch) of the book The 2-in-1 Drummer–– both also available from Alfred Music.

My two children’s board books, I Want to Be a Drummer! and I Want to Be A Reader! (silver medalist in the board book category of the 2017 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards), are published by blue manatee press and illustrated by Maria Montag.

Other resources I’ve authored include Grooves On-The-Go and a 10,000-hour Practice Log & Journal. You can find all of the above-mentioned books on my Amazon author page.

I’ve also written for Modern Drummer Magazine, DRUM! Magazine, Percussive Notes and a variety of other percussion publications, and have composed and published nine percussion solo/ensemble pieces.

Word From Some Of My Students

"I took lessons from Mark to develop my sight-reading skills. He customized his lessons to fit my needs perfectly and monitored my progress as I grew. I couldn't recommend a better teacher. If you're looking for an instructor proficient in a number of styles, who's an amazing player but is also kind and conscientious, look no further!"
Ryan Cox
"Mark Powers is a highly motivating and inspiring teacher who is a large reason I'm playing music today. I was fortunate to have Mark during my beginning years, where a less than stellar experience could have driven me away from music. Mark always focused on my love for drums first and then developing me into a strong, well-rounded musician."
Mike Malone
"Mark's able to connect with students at whatever level they’re at and guide and challenge them to grow in a fun and supportive atmosphere, while keeping lessons focused on an outstanding learning experience. His comprehensive knowledge and expertise with many different types of percussion and genres of music meant that he was able to easily incorporate my own interests into the lessons and build upon them to keep me moving toward my goals with something fun and exciting to work on."
Aleta Goin
"I'm a former student of Mark's. He brings to his lessons fluency in just about every style of music imaginable. At the same time, he presents to the student unique, fruitful drumming and percussion material that advances the player's skill set and the art form itself."
Chris Ulbrich