Mark Appiotti is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started his musical journey as a fourth- grade beginner trumpet player in the band program of the Philadelphia Public Schools. After graduation he attended Mansfield University in Pennsylvania where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. After graduation he married his high school sweetheart, Karen, eventually raising six children together. Mark's graduate study includes courses taken through Vandercook College of Music in Chicago and The University of the Arts in Philadelphia by extension at Villanova University where he has earned thirty credits beyond a master’s equivalency. Mark has worked as a music educator and band director for thirty-five years, having taught all levels of band from elementary through high school. His teaching experience also includes middle school and high school jazz ensemble, beginner strings, middle school string orchestra, and seventh through ninth grade general music. Many of Mark’s students have gone on to careers in music as educators, performers, and music therapists. For twenty-eight years Mark served as conductor and musical director of the Central Bucks Community Concert Band where he received several commendations from civic leaders for service to the community. On two occasions in his teaching career, Mark was inducted into the “Who’s Who of American Teachers”. Now retired, Mark plans to remain active as a festival adjudicator, clinician, composer, arranger and freelance musician.