Embraced with an amazing gift of artistry, Mark Marino filled theaters, showrooms and dance studios across the world with a vibrant energy that will forever live on in the minds of his students, audiences, friends and family. Always pushing to show the world a different side of dance, Mark let his talent guide him along a path of amazing accomplishments. Inspired by years of training, teaching and growing up surrounded with dance through his mother Marie Lynn (Dancer / Studio Director), Mark became National Director and Owner of the Dance USA Performing Arts Championships. His vision created an outlet for students to expand their education through dance. The competition showcases thousands of dancers from across the U.S. and Canada and not only allows them to compete, perform, and work with amazing choreographers and dancers but also provides numerous opportunities to expand their dance education. Mark created an “American Dance Team” of students from the competition who have traveled to Cesena Italy, Barcelona, Spain and Prague bringing back the World Dance Grand Prix Championship Cup three consecutive years. Mark’s vision for the competition is carried on by his mother and two sisters, Tiffanie Kalisz and Tawnie Lawrence. They have also established the Dance USA Foundation in honor of creating a memorial that will keep Mark’s dreams with us always. Financial Contributions in Mark’s Memory may be made to: The Dance USA Foundation 1930 Village Center Circle #3-395 Las Vegas, Nevada 89134 As a choreographer, motivator and mentor, Mark also founded the “American Dance Company,” recipients of the Grand Artistry, Theater and Choreographers Prize at the Prix De Italia” Cesena, Italy and “Prague Festival” in the Czech Republic, winners of the “Grishko Ballet Performance Award for Excellence.” He wanted to express his own realization that there “is no perfect world, and no real definition fo the word normal.” Choreography was Mark’s primary outlet for his own personal views and beliefs, and he drew his audience’s with his artistic ability to showcase life in such a honest form and by truly taking them on a journey. Mark focused some of his work on the belief that, “We get way caught up in what makes our lives work. It seems like the further ahead we get, the more catching up we have to do. Up in the morning, off to work, dinner, television, and then back to bed…..It is a never-ending cycle of why we become so intrigued in “Change.” Life is simple but “Change,” is that one thing that can bring diversion to your soul and bring us back to reality. Stop…., now take a moment, and listen to your heart, It is your direct connection to happiness” (Mark Marino 2003). His choreography had a way of evoking your innermost emotions and capturing his audience off guard. Mark Marino was a true inspiration to all of us in the dance community.