Mark Sparks is an American flutist, teacher, and writer. He is the former Principal Flutist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as soloist and orchestral artist throughout the world.  An enthusiastic teacher, many of his students occupy chairs in American orchestras.  He is a faculty member of Chicago’s DePaul University, and the Aspen Music Festival and School. Mr. Sparks has recorded several solo albums, published arrangements for flute and piano, and writes about flute playing as a Contributing Editor of Flute Talk magazine. He is currently writing several books about orchestral excerpts and flute tone development.