About MARK
Mark Thress, MM, MA, is an accomplished classical and commercial musician, with a wide range of experiences that have shaped his development as a well-rounded artist, performer, and scholar.
Mark developed his love for music at a young age, performing in musicals and volunteering his time playing the piano and singing at assisted living homes—the first time he began to conceptualize the healing power of music. At 17 years old, Mark was selected to participate in Governor’s School at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, during which he was chosen to premier and record part of an upcoming musical by Jarrod Radnich. It was during this moment on stage that Mark decided to take his passion for music and turn it into a lifelong career.
While pursuing an undergraduate degree at JMU, Mark continued to sing, write, produce and perform many styles of music. After newly discovering his operatic voice, Mark performed the lead role in several operas (Tamino, Die Zauberflöte, Nemorino, L’elisir d’amore, Rodolfo, La boheme) and would go on to place 1st at the NATS National Student Competition, affirming his status as one of the top classical tenors in the nation. Although he was busy studying arias, Mark set aside time to arrange, produce, and music direct his college a cappella group, Exit 245. As Music Director, Mark produced several albums, including Boyfriend Material, which won a CARA award for the Best All-Male Collegiate A Cappella Album in the country.
Mark had his international debut thanks in part to an honorable scholarship from the Cornish American Song Institute. During his time at the institute, he continued to study opera performance in England at Oxford, Falmouth, and London, while receiving numerous master classes and seminars from internationally renowned performers and clinicians. More recently, Mark’s solo work can be heard as the featured soloist on the album, Whispering of Fields Unsown, by Andrew Boysen, Jr., and as the Tenor Soloist in, If My People Pray, arranged by Phillip Keveren.
Mark graduated with honors from James Madison University with a Bachelor in Music in Vocal Performance, as well as a minor in Communications Sciences and Disorders. He would go on to continue his studies, receiving the prestigious Ohio State University Fellowship, and completing both a Master’s of Music in Vocal Performance and a Master of Arts in Vocal Pedagogy, in addition to the Singing Health Specialization certificate program. His skillset in vocal research was highly sought after, as he was was selected as a research assistant for the Helen Swank Research Lab in Columbus, OH. Mark spent two years working in the voice clinic at Martha Morehouse and observing in the head and neck operating rooms at the Ear and Eye Institute.
“Mark’s expansive collaborative network and strong background in vocal research has helped carve a unique path of innovation and vocal science in the classical and commercial music repertoire. ”
Beyond his own personal scholarship, Mark has sought to pass along his skills and experiences through a variety of teaching, research, and service opportunities. As a two-time Guest Artist for the Shenandoah’s Governor’s School of the Arts, Mark has served as a music director as well as the teacher of a newly created Music Business and Technology course. Mark developed music seminars for students with autism and helped establish an iPad Music Therapy Service executed in collaboration with the Hahn Oncology Center at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. In the latter experience, Mark was awarded a $3,000 grant to develop care-based, music technology solutions for patients to alleviate stress and track cognitive development during chemotherapy. More recently, Mark served as the Director of Strategy and Operations, coordinating with Google Project Developers, MIT researchers, and engineers, working to innovate wearable, hands-free, electronic voice replacements for electro larynx technology.
His background includes 15+ years of experience on stage and in the studio, and approximately 100 hours in voice therapy clinics and operating room observation. Mark’s clients have had noteworthy success both nationally and internationally on National Tours, Broadway, Television, and Cruise Ships, with 5+ Billion digital streams, collaborations w/ Grammy-winning producers, opened for acts such as Taylor Swift, Paramore, Lady A, and Amy Grant, received sync deals for Amazon Prime Originals, and performed nationally and internationally at nearly every major stadium and commercial venue.
“Mark’s ability to develop nuance, while maintaining the integrity of a singer’s voice, is incredible. His talent is bar-none.”
Mark’s current projects consist of his newly developed program, Vocal 360 Global. This artist mentorship organization develops artists through artist mentorship, vocal coaching, songwriting, and education. Through Mark’s extensive network, artists have the ability to gain real-world knowledge and experience, and connect with the movers and shakers of the music industry. Mark’s most Fall Showcase featured up-and-coming artists, Nashville vendors, and a cozy “fall” theme, all housed in the collaborative workshop, the Trimble House— owned by Kara DioGuardi.
Mark previously taught several courses at Belmont and Lipscomb University in Nashville, and is recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by Ohio State University for his work as a mentor of young professionals in the music Industry. He is both a CMA and SOLID member, and serves as co-chair on SOLID’s Music Market Committee. Mark currently lives in Nashville, TN
