Mark Wood and Laura Kaye

Mark Wood and Laura Kaye

Mark Wood, world-renowned electric violinist has a dexterity, ferocity, and approach to playing that almost invariably lead to comparisons with some of the rock era’s most renowned guitarists. Comparisons, however, cannot come close to capturing the electricity, passion, and innovation exhibited in all of his very unique music.

An original member of the internationally acclaimed Trans Siberian Orchestra, Mark was their string master and lead violinist for over 13 years. A successful solo artist in his own right, Wood writes and records original music for film and television, has released seven solo albums, and tours with his band The Mark Wood Experience (MWE) which features vocalist Laura Kaye, bass player Paul Ranieri, guitarist Rob Bambach, and drummer Jason Gianni.

In an industry where originality is a highly prized commodity, recording artist, performer, producer, inventor, Emmy-winning composer, and music education advocate Mark Wood is truly an original. He began his career with a full scholarship to the prestigious Juilliard School in New York and had the privilege of studying under Maestro Leonard Bernstein at the Tanglewood Music Program.

Dubbed “The Les Paul of the Violin World” by PBS, the Juilliard-trained violinist (he attended on full scholarship) first turned the string establishment on its head in the early 1970’s with his invention of the first solid body electric violin. His company Wood Violins is the premier manufacturer of electric violins, violas and cellos worldwide and he holds the patent for the first-ever self-supporting violin. The company stands behind its claim to have made the most important change to the violin in 400 years and is often referred to as the Stradivarius of electric violins.

Wood has collaborated with and appeared alongside some of the biggest names in music such as Lenny Kravitz, Celine Dion, and Kanye West. Wood had the honor of performing with the legendary Billy Joel for both historic final concerts at Shea stadium, sharing the stage with Paul McCartney, Steven Tyler, and Roger Daltry. He also starred in a Kanye West produced national Pepsi TV commercial and has appeared on the world’s most venerable stages including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Madison Square Garden.

Mark’s highly-anticipated Turbow album is his latest release on Viper Nation Records, and is being heralded as “the most dangerous rock violin album ever.” The Fire ‘n Ice video (the first single from the album) underscores that point in a dramatic way.

But his true passion is music education. His program Electrify Your Strings (EYS), now in its 17th year, is an intensive rock and roll workshop for school music education departments that boosts student self-esteem and motivation and helps raise money for music education. Today EYS visits upwards of 75 schools per year. The organization has been featured on The Today Show, CBS Evening News, and countless local media outlets.

With more than 100,000 students reached, millions of dollars raised to help high school music departments across the US, and dozens of school orchestra programs saved from the chopping block because of funds raised through his efforts, Mark Wood has proven himself a man of ideas, action and results. Showing no signs of slowing down, the multi faceted visionary continues to write, perform, record, invent and inspire. As a matter of fact, Mark Wood is just getting started.