Mark Johnson is an authentic American original. Primarily known as the inventor of the Clawgrass style of banjo (which many call the “third style”), Mark is both a top-drawer player and a respected composer of contemporary acoustic music. In 2012 Mark received the third annual Steve Martin Award for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music. He has performed and recorded with many bluegrass and acoustic luminaries on the music scene today and is also a gifted teacher and songwriter. His second recording, Acoustic Rising with Emory Lester, was nominated by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) in 2007 as Instrumental Album of the Year.

Emory Lester has performed across the U.S., Canada, Europe, U.K., and Czech Republic, with Mark Johnson. Emory has been a notable fixture in the acoustic mandolin world for the past four decades and is an innovator of mandolin technique and a renowned creative artist, multi-instrumentalist, and instructor. He has recorded nine solo albums, all of which showcase Emory’s skills as a composer, arranger, and creative multi-instrumentalist. Emory is ot only a performer, but a highly sought-after teacher of music.