Mark Simos's Colleagues

View All

Mark Simos's Page

Profile Information

School / Work Affiliation: Berklee College of Music

Website: http://devachan.com

About Me: Mark Simos is Associate Professor in the Songwriting Department at Berklee College of Music, and is a prominent songwriter, composer, fiddler and accompanist with a strong background in American roots and related traditions—old time, bluegrass, Celtic and beyond. Mark’s signature style, combining finely crafted lyrics with surprising turns of melody and modal harmonies, has yielded four songs recorded by ‘Americana super-group’ Alison Krauss and Union Station, and 100+ cuts overall with artists including Del McCoury, the Infamous Stringdusters, Laurie Lewis, and Doyle Lawson among others. Mark’s teaching integrates approaches pioneered by other Berklee faculty with materials developed over the years at workshops and clinics. As both writer and teacher, he champions craft, diversity and versatility, risk-taking and innovation—always grounded in attention to the listener’s experience. Mark has introduced new classes including the Appalachian/Old Time ensemble, Guitar Techniques for Songwriters, and Songwriting Collaboration.

Mark also is a well-known guitar accompanist for traditional Celtic music, and a prizewinning old-time fiddler (1st place Clifftop 2003) known for his original tunes or “traditional music from imaginary countries.” He’s featured on over a dozen albums, has appeared in concerts and at festivals throughout the U.S. and Europe, and has released four albums of original and traditional fiddle music, and an acclaimed solo album of songs, Crazy Faith.