Mark's Biography

Mark Wesling, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, has been living and making music in Central Pennsylvania since 1996. He teaches classical, acoustic and electric guitar lessons from his studios in Hershey and York, PA. Mark earned his BSBA (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration) from the Ohio State University and performs throughout Pennsylvania for weddings, corporate events, festivals and concerts and composes and publishes music for the guitar. Mark is also an active artist who works with oils and watercolors and his work has found homes in private collections throughout the United States.

In 2000, he released his first CD of popular classics and original compositions titled “Dream Dance” and in 2002, he released a follow-up CD, titled “A Day of Music”, which includes 11 original compositions and a favorite Fernando Sor composition. In 2003 he released a children’s CD titled “Popcorn and Puppies” with vocalist Dana Alexandra and a Christmas CD titled “Christmas Waiting” with vocalist Liza Kawaller. In 2004 he released a follow-up children’s CD titled “Be the Bridge” with vocalist Liza Kawaller which includes 13 original songs. In 2007, he released a follow-up classical guitar CD titled “Impressionist Garden”, which includes 12 original compositions. All 6 CD’s are available through the CDs page or by calling (717) 554-6429.

In 2000, Mark received a MTNA Teachers Enrichment Grant funded by the Gibson Musical Instruments company for continuing education. In 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, he received grants from the Jump Street (Formerly MetroArts)/Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) to conduct guitar lessons for at-risk inner city youths at the Danzante Community Arts Center in Harrisburg. The Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) program is a partnership initiative between local arts organizations and the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts (PCA), a state agency. PPA is administered in this region by Jump Street (formerly MetroArts) of the Capital Region.

In 2008, Mark received the Arpeggio Award from the PECAN, Inc. (Progressive Education of Children in the Arts Network). This reward recognizes a person who has helped bring harmony to children's lives through composition.

Artist Statement

I am inspired by the lives of Andres Segovia, Ludwig Beethoven, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet and Mark Rothko. I use classical guitar, composition, poetry and painting to inspire the listener and viewer to live a more creative life. I believe art inspires all disciplines from teachers to researchers to be better observers, listeners and risk takers. My work does not try to overwhelm the listener with information but provides simple beautiful musical ideas along with images to relax them and create a spark that can lead to future inspirations.