Mark Edwards

A native of Pennsylvania, Mark Edwards maintains a multi-faceted career a music director, teacher, performer and audio enthusiast. Since 1997, Mark has held the baton as artistic director and conductor of the Audubon Symphony Orchestra, a community based ensemble that performs both popular and classical masterworks. He also maintains a busy concert schedule in appearances as leader and keyboard and vocalist with his own jazz and funk band The Mad Jazzsters.

Mark Edwards has retired from service with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He has had an exceptional twenty-one year career as an Institutional Music Teacher at the State Correctional Institution at Graterford. He has provided comprehensive programming and activities for the residents who wish to better themselves through active participation in music. His music program was featured nationally in the October 2002 premier episode of the VH-1 series Music Behind Bars. In 1996, original music by Mr. Edwards and resident musicians was featured on the NFL films television special Football America. He also performed with his prison jazz ensemble Soundessence as the opening act for the Philadelphia area Mellon Jazz Festival in 1990 and 1991.

Mr. Edwards began his musical studies at West Chester University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education in both instrumental and vocal fields of study. He was a four year member of the popular Golden Rams Marching Band as an instrumentalist in the drum line and in the tuba section. He is a long standing member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, and the League of Symphony Orchestras. He currently freelances as a musician and entertainment consultant, teaches privately and instructs percussion classes at Archbishop Carroll High School.