
John Mark Piper
aka "PIPER"

​I'm very serious about music and I've dedicated my entire life to exploring it. Even when I stepped out of that limelight and joined the fire/rescue service, I was still focused on furthering my exploration of music.
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I've had a ton of professional experience ranging from playing in the streets of Los Angeles to providing music for audiences consisting of most famous stars of Hollywood to top scientists at the South Pole. I've conducted masterclasses on vibraphone at most of the top universities in the USA and some abroad.
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I own the patent to the Musser/Piper vibraphone that raised the bar for the instrument and forced manufacturers to up their game.
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In 2008, I joined the fire/rescue & paramedic professional services and answered 911 emergencies in the north Dallas Metroplex until 2015.
In 2015 I joined the United States Antarctic Program and worked in Fire/Rescue and EMS as paramedic at the South Pole and McMurdo Station Antarctica from 2015 to 2020. During that time I was a member of the Joint USA and New Zealand's Antarctic Search and Rescue Team. I worked 9 seasons in Antarctica over the course of 5 years (winters and summers). While there, I performed many concerts for the great scientists and support staff on the only vibraphone ever to reach the South Pole and McMurdo Station Antarctica. I designed and built that instrument specifically for Antarctica. I call it "The South Pole Vibe". I consider myself a uniquely, life-schooled individual but I attended Berklee College of Music for 3 years to study with the legendary Gary Burton.
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In 2020, I retired from fire rescue and returned to full time music performance, recording, writing and designing vibraphone frames. You can see videos of fun projects I dreamed up while on The Ice and followed through with when I got back in the USA on my Vibraphonics YouTube channel.
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My dedication to the performance of music requires that I apply my heart and soul into every aspect on the highest innovative level. Check out my Music Videos.
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In 2024 I received an official diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder formerly known as Aspergers Syndrome. This new knowledge of self answers so many questions I've had since grammar school. I'm continuing to learn about it and it is a huge part of my current development. I'm completely open to questions and discussions about it because it's who I am and I'm proud that I survived it relatively in tact with the accomplishments I have achieved.
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Currently I am focused on finding a new artful performance opportunities for unique artists like me so I'm starting over. I'm heading back to the streets to perform popup concerts for random people anywhere I can. I hope I can contribute to the concept of modern street performer into something meaningful that is respected and supported by the public. ​
