Born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg, Russia) in 1954, Mark Kashper started taking violin lessons at the age of five.  Until the spring of 1972 he studied exclusively under the personal guidance of Professor Aron Khnifel, whose class produced many outstanding young violinists entering the leading Soviet Conservatories in the 1970’s and early 1980’s.  Graduate of the Moscow Conservatoire where he was one of the last and favored students of the legendary Professor David Oistrakh, Mr. Kashper also graduated from the Leningrad Conservatoire.  As a student, he was a recipient of numerous awards and scholarships.  As an Assistant Concertmaster and soloist with the Moscow Conservatoire Chamber Orchestra, Mr. Kashper concertized extensively throughout the Soviet Union, Europe and Latin America.  He emigrated from the USSR in October 1977.

In February 1978 Mr. Kashper arrived in the United States, and three months later won an audition to become a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.  In September 1979, he was promoted to the first violin section, progressed steadily through its ranks, and was finally named the Orchestra’s new Associate Principal Second Violin in May 1986.

In March 1978 Mr. Kashper won high praise from the audience and critics alike for his performance of the Luciano Berio’s Corale in its West Coast premiere with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the direction of Maestro Pierre Boulez. He has also appeared as soloist with the L.A. Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, as well as in many New Music Group and Chamber Music Series programs, collaborating with such distinguished musicians as Heinz Holliger, Andrew Previn, Emanuel Ax, Arm Bronfman, to name just a few.

An active recitalist and avid chamber music player, Mr. Kashper has been performing regularly in the Los Angeles area and throughout the United States. Since March 1994, he has also been busy as the Concertmaster and frequent featured soloist with the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony. 

Since September 1995, Mr. Kashper resides in Sherman Oaks with his wife Irina, their two children, Danny and Nadia, and a middle-aged dog, Julie.