“...Your outstanding performance will stay with us forever!”
Roger Lewis , Principal
Schiel Primary School
for Arts Education
Cincinnati, OH
“WOW! Your presentation was the hit of the conference! Bravo!”
David Berry, Executive Director
Community College Humanities Association
Newark, NJ
“Everyone was just floored by your presentation... A standing ovation well deserved.”
Bob Dixon-Kolar
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, IL
“Some things are so wonderful there are no words to describe them; like the way it feels to sit in a room full of people from all over the city after a long day of work all playing instruments and singing their hearts out together.”
Michelle Lilly-O’Brien
Chicago, IL
“Lovely concert this evening Mark. You were stellar.”
Sharon Speziale
LaGrange Park, IL
“I bought your CD for my teaching friend and her class LOVES ‘Lay Down Little Dogies.’They gather and sing it every day. Thought you’d like to hear.”
Stacy Holzwarth
1st Grade Teacher
Chicago, IL
“Mark! You are a hero in your own time and a good friend to us as well.”
Mary Hamilton
Decatur, GA
“Congratulations on your anniversary at the Old Town School. I hope you are there another 23 years. You are a national treasure.”
Marge Weber
Elk Grove Village, IL
“We all really loved your concert. Thanks for the encore! Folk music is wonderful and so are you.”
Linda Osanka, CCHA
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, IL
“...You are a painter... Your music has so many colors and so many moods. It’s just beautiful’”
Peggy Lipschutz
Evanston, IL
“...I wanted to let you know how cool the Woody Guthrie jam at this summer’s festival was; what a tribute to both you and Woody...there was standing room only for musicians plus a nice crowd had gathered to listen on the lawn...”
Donna Burkhard
Chicago, IL
“Mark Dvorak is our folk music hero...and he should be yours too.”
Birdy
LaGrange Park, IL
“Your voice makes everyone want to sing with you. Playing and singing with your group at Old Town is the nicest time of my week.”
Stacy Holzwarth
Chicago, IL
“Thanks for the Woody Guthrie jam...I was especially touched by Woody’s ‘Peace Call.’
Nitza Rosario
Chicago, IL
“...his voice is like a magnet that draws you in...”
Mike Henry
South Haven, MI
“Mark Dvorak is a living archive of song and style....making a magical connection with an audience is his special skill...”
Fox Valley Folklore Soceity
Geneva, IL
“You really made that guitar sound awesome by playing acoustically into the microphone. I’m going to have to play around with doing some of that myself.”
Macyn Taylor
Waterford, WI
“...First rate all the way...”
Bucky Halker
Skokie Theater Acoustic Series
Skokie, IL
“I was delighted to enter Mark Dvorak’s magic folk kingdom, after Old Town School hours at the Grafton Pub. Quite a roomful of singers, fiddle, slide, harmonica. Mark led several songs and gave me the royal intro. I lead ‘Bound to Go,’ ‘Walkin’ Shoes’ and ‘Tree of Life.’ The spirituals were made for many voices, and it’s a joy to sing them in company. Mark is a great asset to folk music in Chicago.”
Andrew Calhoun
Glen Ellyn, IL
“It was a hoot seeing you and hearing you - not only a primo musician and excellent performer, but you are also an engaging and informative, thoroughly enjoyable - in a word - entertainer...”
Andy Burd
New Buffalo, MI
“Just a note to say last nights class was great. You are so good at inspiring confidence that we can do stuff we never dreamed possible. Thanks again.”
Marge Weber
Elk Grove Village, IL
“Mark Dvorak IS the show...”
Reggio the Hoofer
Chicago, IL
“We were honored to have Mark in the studio for a wonderful show of brilliant talent. The Windy City is fortunate to have Mark base his creativity here...his podcast has set the record for downloads...”
Michael Teach
Chicago Acoustic Underground
“He’s a cross between James Taylor, Pete Seeger and Big Bill Broonzy. Now go write that down...”
Elbert Beard
The Old Timer
Erin, TN
“Thanks for everything you did to make the Wincentennial such a success. Your performances and commentaries were superb...”
Bob Riesman
Chicago, IL
“Every time I think I’ve seen you do the best thing ever, turns out I just have to wait until next time...Your Lead Belly show was really extraordinary-so well done, so informative and musical...”
Louise Frank, WFMT
Chicago, IL
“Thanks so much for the show about Lead Belly last night! I’m thrilled I got to experience it and hope you do end up taking it on the road. More people should have the chance to learn about Lead Belly from you...”
Kay Spreitzer
Chicago, IL
“Ten thousand hands rang out in applause last night and I hope you heard each and every one of them - for the tradition you carry on, for the humanity that you bring to the craft and for the special gift you have to share with others...
Lizabeth MacDonald
Chicago, IL
“It was a joy to see you...I can’t tell you how proud I am of who you are and the spirit with which you live, teach and make music. You are a strong link in the chain...”
Doug Miller
Folklore Village Farm
Dodgeville, WI
“Ten thousand hands rang out in applause last night and I hope you heard each and every one of them - for the tradition you carry on, for the humanity that you bring to the craft and for the special gift you have to share with others...
Lizabeth MacDonald
Chicago, IL
“It was a joy to see you...I can’t tell you how proud I am of who you are and the spirit with which you live, teach and make music. You are a strong link in the chain...”
Doug Miller
Folklore Village Farm
Dodgeville, WI
“One of the brightest stars in the folk sky...”
First Night
Evanston, IL
“A modern day troubadour...equal parts Art Thieme, Win Stracke and Big Bill Broonzy...”
Chicago Second Sunday
“I came home energized from your concert...I like it that you really encouraged participation. It’s the answer to the comment a friend made recently, that people need to be finding their own culture...”
Juniper Sundance
Abrams, WI
“...songwriting wondrous and profound...”
The Herald
Kankakee, IL
“Your songs are thoughtful and good...they really sound like they’re from you, from your heart and from your life...”
Tim Lilly
St. Louis, MO
“I want you to know that I listened to your record and loved it. It sounds great man...”
Jim Tullio
Nashville, TN
