W. Mark Akin

W. Mark Akin is a Teaching Professor of Applied Music and Guitar at Washington University in St. Louis. He holds affiliations with the Department of Music and the St. Louis Classical Guitar Society's Guitar Horizons outreach initiative. A renowned classical guitarist, he is celebrated for his dynamic performances and has won multiple prestigious competitions nationwide.

• Bachelor's and Master's in Guitar Performance from Belmont University (Nashville) and the University of Arizona (Tucson)

His research interests span classical guitar performance techniques, innovative pedagogical approaches to music education, and community engagement through music outreach. A dedicated educator with extensive private instruction experience, he has mentored countless students in both academic and performance settings.

• Notable Awards: Wilson Center Guitar Competition, Artist Presentation Society of St Louis Competition

His professional development includes master classes with globally renowned artists like Sergio Assad, Manuel Barrueco, and Jason Vieaux. Axiomatically committed to music education, he actively designs curricula that bridge traditional classical training with modern pedagogical strategies.