
About Mark Payton
Mark Payton is a seasoned percussionist and educator with a lifelong passion for drumming. After expressing a keen interest in rhythm as a young child, he started private instruction as a percussionist in junior high and continued throughout high school.
Inspired by a cassette tape featuring the powerful sounds of Drum & Bugle Corps, Mark ventured into the world of marching performing arts with the Guardsmen Drum & Bugle Corps, formerly out of Schaumburg, IL. It took a great deal of persuasion, but Mark was able to convince his folks to let him spend a summer in camp with the Guardsmen. This proved to be one of Mark’s most formative musical memories, and he continues to enjoy sharing his passion for drum corps with his students. Mark’s pursuit of musical excellence led him to pursue higher education in music, including studies at Illinois State University and Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IUPUFW), where he honed his skills in percussion education. He went on to be one of the youngest percussion educators hired by Fort Wayne Community School. During his tenure, he crafted innovative percussion arrangements and developed award-winning drumlines at Snider High School.
Today, Mark’s passion for percussion continues to be a huge part of his life. He has cultivated a personal collection of percussion instruments from around the globe. He also continues to enrich lives through percussion, operating a dedicated home percussion studio in which he teaches and records. He loves teaching students of all ages, regardless of skill level. He tailors his instruction to the particular needs and interests of each individual, his aim to inspire his students with an enthusiasm for playing music. He specializes in drum corps fundamentals and the rudiments of drumming, and is particularly adept at teaching beginners.
Mark is very excited about joining the Musical Expressions team, and he is eager to contribute to its community of excellence in music education.
