Mark Anthony Cruz
As a composer and arranger, Mark Anthony Cruz is published by Mel Bay, Clearnote, Shawnee Press and Soundboard. He was the first prize-winner of the Austin Classical Guitar sponsored composition competition in 2006, '07, ’08, ’10 and ‘17. He has received several commissions from large institutions, DMA students and private artists. Mr. Cruz’s Triptych No. 1 for solo guitar has been performed internationally by guitar virtuoso, Adam Holzman. Such notable artists as Austin Guitar Quartet, Presti Trio, Texas Guitar Quartet, Kossler Duo and the Hanser/McClellan Duo have also performed his work in addition to numerous high schools and universities across the country and abroad. As a performer, Cruz placed 1st in the 2022 Indiana fingerstyle Contest and 1st in the 2013 Winfield International Fingerstyle Competition. He has been a feature artist at many important guitar festivals across Texas as a performer, teacher and lecturer. He has been a guest director in All-City guitar events in Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas. Five of Cruz's CDs have been featured on the nationally syndicated radio program, Classical Guitar Alive. Two of his all-original CD's received positive reviews in the scholarly periodical, Soundboard. Mr. Cruz has been professor of guitar at Texas State University – San Marcos since 1999 and resides in San Marcos, TX with his family.