Classical guitarist Mark Habib began playing progressive rock and jazz in his teens. After being influenced by the beauty of classical guitar, he went on to study under a guitar scholarship at the University of South Alabama where he received his B.M. in Guitar Performance in 1988. He later went on to study at the University of Southern Mississippi, receiving his Masters in Guitar Performance in 1994. While a student there, he won both the MTNA and Pine Belt competition judged by internationally acclaimed guitarist/composer Jorge Morel from Argentina. Since then Mark has studied in master classes with some of the world's top guitarists including such names as Eliot Fisk, David Russell, Abel Carlevaro, and Benjamin Verdery. He currently teaches the Elementary Guitar class and the Introduction to Music class at USA. Mark has dedicated himself to diligent teaching and performing for 30 years. In January 2015, Mark performed a solo concert to launch the now annual GUITARFEST, which features a competition, concerts, and workshops for guitarists of all levels, a first of its kind in guitar education for the Mobile area. His philosophy of teaching each student as a unique individual has him sought out as a highly regarded teacher and artist.