Mark James Varelas

The musical repertoire of Mark James Varelas includes Greek Bouzouki, Sitar, Flamenco and Classical Guitar. Accordion, Violin, Piano, Trumpet, Penny Whistle, and Rauschpfiefe.  Mark's musical interest was nurtured from a very young age by his family, and most significantly by his parents, who exposed him to a wide variety of music, encompassing the classical, folk, rock, and world music genres. He remembers careening around his parent's house while his mother played selections from Carmen at the age of five and taking hisfirst piano lesson at the age of eight. Mark founded the band E Serenes in 1999 performing Greek Bouzouki with the group in the area around San Antonio, Texas. In 2001 Mark studied Bouzouki in Greece with a native proficient. In 2002 E Serenes changed its name to E Muzeki and began touring the US, performing at a variety of venues including several Renaissance Festivals in Texas, Michigan, Maryland, Florida, Arizona, and Ohio.  From 2002-2007, Mark devoted his life to music, working as the head composer and creative director of E Muzeki. In addition to composing original and arranging traditional music and playing Bouzouki, Lead Guitar, Accordion and a variety of other instruments in the band's countless performances, he also co-produced E Muzeki's four CD's.  His skill in percussion is a new addition to the massive attack Mark lends to Tartanic.