Hi, I'm Mark Andersen. I'm 43 years old, married with four
children (all boys - my Chinese friends tell me I'm very
blessed, and I tend to agree). My oldest is 20, and wants
to pursue a career in music. My youngest is 11, and if
current interests are any indication, he could be the
next Adam Sandler or Jim Carrey. I grew up in Fresno CA,
where my mom gave me my first piano lesson when I was 5
years old. I lived in Seattle for a few years while I
was in graduate school, and in Irvine CA for a few years
after that. Currently I'm an associate professor in Fishery
and Wildlife Sciences at New Mexico State University. I
teach classes on philosophy of science/ scientific method/
scientific writing/ proposal writing, and on quantitative
population ecology, as well as a seminar course from time
to time. My research interests are conservation of non-game
animals in the desert Southwest, and applications of
theoretical ecology to the conservation of endangered
species and the management of invasive species.
I've been in a couple of different local rock bands, and
currently I play in a worship band. Although keys are my
main instrument, I can get by on bass, guitar, and congas.
I also compose what could loosely be called progressive-rock instrumentals. My musical influences include Monk, Tyner,
Russell Ferrante (Yellowjackets), Emerson, Wakeman, and Jan
Hammer. I can only hope my compositions do justice to those
influences. Other players I really respect include Bruce
Hornsby, Michael McDonald, Rick Manasa (from Bob Seger's
band - I think I got the name right), Benmont Tench, Jeff
Lorber, and the late Richard Tee.
Right now I'm using a pretty minimal setup built around
my Alesis QS8.1. Between this forum and Keyboard magazine,
I'm getting lots of good information for my next gear
purchase(s). As far as chops go, I'm working on improvisational
skills, on pitch-bend technique, and on getting a convincing
electric guitar sound out of my keyboard.
cheers,
Mark A.
