International recording artist Mark Wood, one of the founding members of the multiplatinum selling Trans-Siberian Orchestra and creator of the revolutionary Viper electric violin, has brought together some of the country’s most revered musicians and educators to participate in the Second Annual Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp (MWROC) to be held at MidAmerica Nazarene University’s Bell Cultural Events Center from July 18-22, 2011. Each night of the camp at 7:30 p.m., MWROC faculty will perform in high-caliber concerts culminating in a final extravaganza on the 22^nd featuring all campers and faculty. Members of MWROC faculty have performed with such legendary musicians as Sheryl Crow, Turtle Island String Quartet, and Christina Aguilera.

The camp brings 120 high school students from around the world to Olathe to learn from musicians who perform with Bruce Springsteen, Harry Connick Jr., Lenny Kravitz, Celine Dion, and many more music icons.

Wood has been working to inspire young string players with Electrify Your Strings!™ (EYS), his groundbreaking music education program and MWROC is an expansion and outgrowth of that program. EYS is a multi-tiered program designed to supplement and enhance schools’ regular music curriculum. Students and teachers benefit from the inspiring and motivational techniques he has developed through years of research and experience, incorporating techniques from his classical training with the rock and pop music he was surrounded by growing up. 

Mark is the owner and operator of Wood Violins, one of the largest electric violin manufacturing companies in the world. He studied under Maestro Leonard Bernstein, and is a Juilliard-trained violinist and Emmy-winning composer who has created string arrangements for Celine Dion and others. In addition to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, he has worked with Billy Joel, Lenny Kravitz, Kanye West, Dee Snider, and many others.

• Monday – Thursday                $10 in advance; $15 at the door
• Friday                                      $15 in advance; $20 at the door
• KC area students                    $8 in advance and at the door

To purchase tickets, call the Bell Center Box Office at (913) 971-3636 or email {ml0}. For directions to MNU and Bell Cultural Events Center, visit www.mnu.edu/map.

Concert Schedule

MONDAY, 7/18/11

Tracy Silverman: Violinist with Jim Brickman, Turtle Island String Quartet, has worked with Bob Geldof, Billy Taylor, and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.

Joe Deninzon: Has worked with Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen, Phoebe Snow, Everclear, Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple, Smokey Robinson, and Les Paul.

TUESDAY, 7/19/11

Dr. David Wallace. A faculty member at The Juilliard School and a Senior Teaching Artist at the New York Philharmonic, Dr. Wallace plays classical viola with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and Texas-style fiddle in his band “The Doc Wallace Trio”.

Sean Grissom: Internationally known as the ‘Cajun Cellist’, has performed his unique brand of Country, Cajun, Classical, Swing, and Rock music from the streets and subways of New York City to the concert halls of Europe and the Far East.

Bridgid Bibbins: Has performed with Josh Groban, Christian Aguilera, Tommy  Lee (Motley Crue), Gilby Clarke (Guns ‘N’ Roses), Johnny Colt (the  Black  Crowes), Mary J Blige, Jay-Z, John Mayer, Alicia Keys, and Harry Connick, Jr.

WEDNESDAY, 7/20/11

Rachel Barton Pine: One of the most-recognized names on the classical music scene today. She made her debut as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony at age 10.Since then she’s gone on to perform with orchestras all over the world, as well as with many of rock’s biggest names.

Chuck Bontrager with “Vicarious,” Tool Tribute Band

Matt Vanacoro - has worked with local and national touring acts up and down the east coast in a range of styles from Aaron Carter to NY jazz vocalist Amy Regan. His music has been featured in television and film, from Oprah Winfrey’s television show to films by Lionsgate.

THURSDAY, 7/21/11

The Mark Wood Experience:

• Mark Wood is a founding member of the “Trans-Siberian Orchestra.” Has worked with Kanye West, Billy Joel, Celine Dion, and Paul McCartney. He is an Emmy award winning composer and inventor of the Viper electric violin.
• Laura Kaye: has worked with James Brown and Aretha Franklin, and has contributed to soundtracks and videos for U2, Lenny Kravitz, and Sean Lennon...

FRIDAY, 7/22/11

Final concert featuring all campers and faculty

Mark Wood Web Site: www.mwroc.com

MWROC Faculty Bios: www.mwroc.com/faculty