Mark Deffenbaugh
About
Hello, My name is Mark Deffenbaugh. I have been teaching for over twenty years. I enjoy sharing my knowledge of music with my students. I started my teaching career in the early 90's taking over a group of students from another teacher. This started my on a journey that would change my life. Prior to this I was playing music full time. I was working as a band leader and a first call side man. I had interest from many management companies and recording labels. This led me to being the Musical Director of the Ben E King Stand By Me Foundation. I was on the board of directors in charge of giving scholarships to under privileged students. For the last twenty years I have been teaching as my main focus.
Teaching Style
My lessons are tailored to the individual student whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced player I use current lessons materials mainly Alfred publications. I supplement with various works from the Baroque and Classical period.
I believe in helping students build confidence, discipline and a strong work ethic. I believe in the development of fundamentals as a means to building a formidable musical background.
Students learn scales and chords and are able to understand what's on the page.
My methods are proven. I was voted Best of Alexandria two years in a row.
Credentials & Affiliations
Mark Deffenbaugh is an innovative, and provocative Jazz Artist and Educator. As a keyboardist, composer, and producer he has turned the heads of many of the most talented and famous personalities in Jazz, Rock, Hip Hop, and R&B. Mark started his career early, playing gigs, in the Washington D.C. area, starting at the age of sixteen. Within a few short years he had numerous live and television performances to his credit. While attending The Berklee College of Music, Mark studied with, Jazz Great Gary Burton. Gary took Mark under his wing, and became an important figure in Mark's life. Through this relationship Mark developed relationships with such names, as McCoy Tyner, Michael Brecker, Peter Eirskin, John Schofield, Carla Bley, Makoto Ozone, Steve Swallow.and others. Mark Returned to the Washington D.C. area after an injury to his hands. He spent many years rebuilding his chops, and working as a studio engineer, and producer. Mark has composed hundreds of pieces of music, including a Sonata for Vibraphone, and Guitar, numerous pieces for the various world famous acts, and groups that he has worked with over the years He has also been responsible for lyrics, and arrangements for live shows, and recordings that have included the most recognizable names in the popular music world. Mark served as the Musical Director of The Ben E King Stand By Me Foundation for five years.
His list of performance credits include Ben K King, The O'jays,cBaby Washington, Loyd Price,cGary USBonds, Chuck Jackson, Bill Pinkney (The Origional Drifters),Little Anthony, and The Imperials, Bobby Bennett, The Spinners Fay Hauser-Price Clifton Davis, Don Gardner, Jerry Butler, Gene Chandler, Louis Price (Former lead singer The Drifters/Temptations) Beverly Crosby, Mavis Staples, Richard Roundtree (Shaft), Speedo and Cadillacs, Peabo Bryson, Shirley Alson Reeves (Shirelles), Charley Thomas (Drifters), Martha Reeves (formerly of the Vandellas), Freda Payne, Gerald Alston (Manhattans), Blue Lovette (Manhattans), Chuck Barksdale (Dells), Vern Allison (Dells), Dennis Edwards (formerly of the Temptations), Harvey Fuqua (Moonglows), Maxine Brown. Mark is currently producing, new music for a solo project, and has founded the experimental Jazz group Kaos Theory. He is also the CEO of DreamLand Records, an independent record label dedicated to Jazz, and Electronic Music, located in the Washington D.C. area.