Bio: MARK A. RIPLEY

Professional Summary   

A seasoned professional with 30+ years of musical experience.  Well-versed in the classics, with a special love for Jazz.  Has a passion for music and loves working with kids and helping them to attain their goals

Education:     BA Music,  University of Wisconsin   - 1978

Studied classical piano with Steven Swedish - Best known for his accomplished accompanying abilities with Eugene Fodor; www.eugenefodor.com and for his many appearances with major symphony's around the world

Numerous IBM Courses, In-depth Sales Training,  Presentation Techniques, People Skills, Leadership Skills, Management/Motivational Training, among many others.  Graduate Courses in Jazz Studies University of N Texas - Denton , Texas

Experience:  

Mark Began his musical journey at the The Music Center, Inc. in Racine and Kenosha , Wisconsin in 1969 - 1975.  He Taught Private Piano, Organ and Accordion to students of all ages.  He also led group lessons at this time.  He started up several local bands/combos working throughout the Milwaukee / Racine / Kenosha , WI area.  A couple of these groups were the Dodge Dance Band  1970 - 1978, Mark III Trio & Music by Mark.  He led the Dodge Dance Band as a wedding/dance band, typically consisting of up to 5 musicians, including keyboards, guitar, bass, drums and vocals.

•  Played for wedding receptions, private parties, civic functions, school dances.

•  Band was booked one year out in the future.

Following his early roots at the Music Center Mark decided to Major in Music at the University of Wisconsin - Parkside under the Tutelage of Steve Swedish; Classical Piano, and Tim Bell; Jazz Lab Band Director; former lead alto sax in the internationally renowned One O'Clock Lab Band out of Denton Texas, http://oldweb.uwp.edu/academic/music/Faculty/Bell.html Studied and performed jazz piano with the UWP jazz lab band.

Mark also studied composition with August Wegner formerly of the UWP Faculty

Beginning in 1978 - 1979  Mark relocated to Dallas Texas to further his study of Jazz Piano through the Masters Degree / Jazz Piano program at the University of N. Texas . He studied jazz piano concepts with internationally acclaimed jazz educators Dan Haerle; http://www.danhaerle.com and Rich Matteson at NTSU in Denton Texas .  

Not too long after relocating to Texas Mark met Pete Peterson. Pete was in process of forming his own 19 piece Jazz Orchestra; later known as Pete Peterson and the Collection Jazz Orchestra.  Mark got the thrill of playing jazz piano with this 19 piece jazz orchestra for various functions throughout the DFW Metroplex for several years.  In 1982 they recorded their first internationally released Big Band jazz album on the PAUSA Label, endorsed by Doc Severinsen of The Tonight Show.  The album was released to every Public Broadcasting radio station around the world. " Texas State of Mind"

•  The album included 3 internationally known jazz musicians; Ashley Alexander, Rich Matteson & Phil Wilson.

•  One unique thing about this album is that it got significant air-time on many American Airlines International Flights.

Mark was also asked to participate in a program for The Carrollton Boys & Girls Club through The Bleuer Foundation in providing Basic Piano Theory and Lessons to children 1 st Grade - 7 th Grade.  As a result he ended up mentoring the children in many aspects of their lives - not just music. Like-wise, they mentored him. An extremely rewarding project.

Beginning in 1987 Mark started a Piano Booking and Entertainment business formally naming it Piano by Request (PBR)

Through PBR he has not only booked his own personal itinerary, by providing solo piano / cocktail music for various Hotels & Private Parties (Wedding Receptions/Rehearsal Dinners) throughout the DFW Metroplex.  But he has also engaged other musicians such as Duos, Trios and Combos to perform for all kinds of functions

•  Has provided solo piano for the Hyatt Hotel at DFW Airport as well as The Renaissance Hotel and the Fairmont Hotel (Downtown Dallas)

•  Provide Musical Wedding/Consulting Services for prospective Bride/Groom

•  Initiated contacts with numerous hotels and wedding organizations throughout the DFW Metroplex with the intention of selling talent services by making the business known through face to face contacts as well as through networking

•  Personally meet with couples to understand their needs

•  Make recommendations based upon the couples needs

•  Lead couple through a song selection process, then demonstrated what their selections would sound like

•  Set the date and sign necessary contracts

•  Mark has most recently been providing solo piano for Kirby's Steakhouses and the Fairmont Hotel in the DFW Metroplex.

Beginning in 1995, Mark began providing piano musical accompaniment for his church; Bent Tree Bible Fellowship

December 2003 - Formed the Entertainment by Request Website Service. http://www.entertainmentbyrequest.com Initially with the mission of serving the needs of the musician community in the DFW Metroplex. Ultimately, serving the needs of musicians nation-wide