Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Mark moved to southern California to pursue a musical career in 2006. He spent his first two years at the California Institute of the Arts working towards his Masters Degree in Jazz Studies, which he received in the summer of 2008. While at CalArts Mark wrote and produced his first solo album, Hands On. Hands On features a quintet including Nilan on keys, Gregg Bissonette on drums, Abraham Laboriel Sr. on bass, Ricky Z Zahariades on guitar, and Brad Dutz on percussion. Hands On is a high energy, modern jazz album.