Composer Mark Carlson's lyrical, emotionally powerful, and stylistically unique music has earned him the admiration of audiences and musicians throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. A versatile composer, his nearly 80 works include art songs, chamber music, choral music, concertos and other large ensemble works, and songs for musical theater.

The recipient of over 40 commissions, he has been commissioned by the National Shrine in Washington, DC, and the New West Symphony, among other organizations, as well as by many individual musicians and private parties. One of his CDs, The Hall of Mirrors, was a winner of the Chamber Music America/WQXR Record Awards for 2001.

His music is published by Yelton Rhodes Music, Pacific Serenades Music, C Swigart Music, Black Squirrel Music, and Thorpe Music. He teaches music theory and composition at both Santa Monica College and UCLA, and he is also active as a private teacher. The Founder and Artistic Director of the Los Angeles chamber music ensemble Pacific Serenades, he is also active as a flutist, performing primarily chamber music.