“Once something is a passion, the motivation is there.” - Michael Schumacher. Mark discovered his passion for dance during his high school years. He faced mobility challenges related to Cerebral palsy and dedicatedly pursued his passion with the help of his supportive mentor and friends. At the young age of 17, Mark founded an integrated dance company for disabled and non-disabled dancers called the Marked Dance Project to break societal notions of a dancer. Mark extends his advocacy through his various speaking engagements across the USA and international venues like TEDx. He is also a published poet and a journalist and has received several awards like the Student Government Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Campus Pride Voice & Action Award for his work with the LGBTQ community and the Audre Lorde Award for Social Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY.

Which role do you enjoy the most, choreographer, dancer or artistic director and why?M: I enjoy the role of choreographer the most! After ten years as Artistic Director of my own dance company, marked dance project, I was ready for a different pace and to focus my energy into getting choreographic commissions. Creating is at the core of my being so that's why I enjoy being a choreographer so much. It allows me to tell stories through movement.

What inspired you to start the marked dance project?M: I was inspired to created marked dance project because there was no physically integrated dance opportunities for me in New Jersey. At 17 years old, I became the youngest person in the United States to artistically direct and found a dance company for disabled and non-disabled dancers. What started off as a selfish desire to dance, quickly became about providing other disabled people like me opportunities to dance.

What is your most memorable work so far and why?M: I was very proud of the work I produced for our 10th anniversary and final season of marked dance project. I think it showed the range of my work and artistic voice.

What challenges did you face during your school days? What or who motivated you to face those challenges?M: I dealt with bullying from an early age because of the way I walked, due to have cerebral palsy. Later, I would deal with bullying because of my sexuality and gender expression. Throughout the years, I had to learn to have tough skin because people were so cruel. I also internalized a lot of those negative thoughts and sometimes became the bully to deflect my own pain. Luckily for me, I always had supportive friends and teachers who encouraged me to keep going and keep creating. My dance teacher Erin Pride continues to be an inspiration for me and taught me everything I needed to know to be successful in my dance journey.

What are your other hobbies?M: I love to binge watch TV-- especially shows like Grey's Anatomy, This Is Us and Madam Secretary, to name a few. I also enjoy reading and writing quotes, poetry, and short essays.

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you love about that place?M: I love to be surrounded by water. Whether it's poolside or in the beach, being near the water calms me and makes me extremely happy.

What is your suggestion for families of children with disabilities to empower their children?M: My biggest suggestion for families of children with disabilities is to empower their child to be authentic-- to help them embrace their differences early in life and empower them to love themselves fully and unapologetically.

What tips/advice do you have for those in our community who want to learn dance?M: My advice to anyone who wants to learn how to dance, is to find a teacher who will invest in you not despite your differences but because of them. Learn the craft of dance and its history and make sure that history includes dance pioneers like Judith Smith, Marc Brew, and up and coming dance shakers and makers like Ellice Patterson.

Any special message for our community?M: You are enough, it's amazing how enough you are. Believe in yourself and your dreams and never stop pursuing them.