06/18/2026
MARK NASH
Dance Educator | Choreographer | Performer | Color Guard Specialist | Artistic Sport Coach
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Mark Nash is an accomplished d no ance educator, choreographer, performer, and studio owner with extensive experience spanning classical ballet/jazz/contemporary/lyrical/musical theater dance, baton twirling, acrobatics, and artistic sport. With a career that bridges professional performance, higher education, choreography, and arts leadership, he has trained and mentored performers across the United States and internationally.
Mark currently serves as a dance instructor at William Jessup University and is the owner and artistic leader of El Dorado Dance Academy, a multi-disciplinary dance studio serving dancers from recreational through pre-professional levels. His teaching philosophy combines technical excellence, artistic development, athletic training, and performance readiness.
As a professional dancer, Mark performed as a soloist and principal artist with companies throughout the United States, including Dayton Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet West, International Ballet Theatre and State of LA Danse. His performance repertoire ranged from the classical works of George Balanchine to contemporary masters including Paul Taylor and Val Caniparoli. He has also been in numerous musicals and commercial works.
In addition to his dance career, Mark has maintained a lifelong commitment to artistic sport. He performed with the world-renowned Blue Devils Winter Guard and has appeared internationally in The Netherlands, Canada, and Chile. He is an eight-time World Baton Twirling Federation (WBTF) Gold Medalist and has coached, choreographed, and adjudicated performers throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
EDUCATION
Master of Business Administration (MBA) University of Cincinnati
Master of Arts, Arts Administration University of Cincinnati
Bachelor of Arts, Dance Wright State University
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Owner & Artistic Director
El Dorado Dance Academy | California
• Provide artistic and administrative leadership for a multi-disciplinary dance academy.
• Develop curriculum in ballet, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, acrobatics, baton twirling, and performance training.
• Recruit, supervise, and mentor instructional staff.
• Produce annual theatrical productions, competitions, and community outreach programs. • Coach students pursuing collegiate and professional performing arts opportunities. Adjunct Dance Faculty
William Jessup University | Rocklin, California
• Teach university-level dance courses emphasizing technical excellence, performance skills, and artistic development.
• Mentor students pursuing careers in dance, musical theatre, education, and performance.
• Develop curriculum integrating contemporary dance training with professional industry standards.
• Performed leading and featured roles in classical and contemporary repertoire.
• Collaborated with nationally recognized choreographers and artistic directors.
• Performed works by George Balanchine, Paul Taylor, Val Caniparoli, and other notable choreographers.
• Participated in touring productions and educational outreach programs.
Company Management Intern
Joffrey Ballet of Chicago
• Assisted with company administration, operations, and touring logistics while pursuing graduate studies.
• Participated in company touring activities, including engagements in Telluride, Colorado.
COLOR GUARD, BATON & ARTISTIC SPORT EXPERIENCE
Blue Devils Winter Guard Concord, California
• Performed with one of the world's most respected and influential color guard organizations. • Trained and performed at an elite competitive level emphasizing movement, equipment technique, artistry, and athletic excellence.
• Developed expertise in choreography, visual design, staging, and performer training. World Baton Twirling Federation (WBTF)
Eight-Time WBTF Gold Medalist in Baton Twirling
• International competitor, coach, choreographer, and clinician.
• Specialized in performance excellence, artistic presentation, technical development, and athlete preparation.
• Extensive background in gymnastics, acrobatics, flexibility, conditioning, and cross- disciplinary movement training.
• Integrated acrobatic principles into dance and performance education programs.
CHOREOGRAPHY & CREATIVE WORK
• Choreographed original repertoire and full-length ballet productions for dance companies and educational institutions.
• Created competitive dance, color guard, baton, and musical theatre works for performers ranging from youth to professional artists.
• Guest choreographer, instructor, and clinician throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. • Recipient of the Josephine-Hermene Schwarz Award for Choreography.
INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE & TEACHING
The Netherlands – VARA!
Montreal, Quebec – Téléthon des Étoiles
Santiago, Chile – Noche de los Gigantes
Los Angeles, California – HULU: Game of Talents, Episode #4
• International performer, clinician, and coach.
• Conducted workshops and training programs for dancers, color guard performers, baton athletes, and educators.
• Collaborated with artists and organizations across multiple performance disciplines.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
• Baton Twirling
•Prop Manipulation
• Ballet
• Jazz Dance
• Musical Theatre
• Contemporary/Lyrical Dance
• Choreography
• Acrobatics
• Performance Coaching
• Arts Administration
• Curriculum Development
• Higher Education Instruction
• Studio Management
• Competition Team Development
• Leadership & Organizational Development
Welcome to the FamOly, Mark!
