Mark O'Connor, a renowned violinist, guitar player, and mandolinist, first discovered his passion for the violin at the tender age of 11 in Seattle. Prior to this, he had been playing the guitar since he was just 6 years old. It wasn't long before he began taking lessons from the legendary Texas fiddler Benny Thomasson, who would play a significant role in shaping his musical journey.
By the time Mark reached the age of 14, he had already won three national fiddling championships, a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication. After completing high school, he embarked on a career as a touring musician, performing at various festivals and establishing himself as a sought-after studio musician.
In addition to playing the violin, guitar, and mandolin, Mark also picked up the mandolin in the early 1980s, a decision that would ultimately lead him to win the World Mandolin Championship. In 1990, he launched his solo career, which was met with immense success, earning him numerous CMA Awards the following year for his album "The New Nashville Cats".
Mark's subsequent album, "Heroes", released in 1992, featured duets with some of his violin-playing idols. The year 1993 saw him begin work on his first major symphonic work, "The Fiddle Concerto", a project that would continue to evolve over the years.
Today, Mark remains an active composer, touring the country, and conducting an annual Fiddle Camp at Vanderbilt University, where he also teaches violin master classes. He currently resides in San Diego with his wife and two children, continuing to share his passion for music with audiences around the world.
