Onyx Color Guard

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!

Justin Turner is a visionary Cincinnati-based educator, designer, and performer boasting over 15 years of experience in the marching arts, where he continues to inspire and empower the next generation of performers. As an alumnus of Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, O2, and Onyx, Justin brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to his role as Director and Designer for the 2026 WGI Scholastic A Class Bronze Medalist, Campbell County High School. His choreography has elevated multiple nationally recognized programs, including Anesiadora World, Icon, The Collective, The Pride of the Netherlands, Milford (OH) High School, Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps, and Onyx, where he returns with great enthusiasm, poised to continue developing a lasting impact that has already spanned 13 seasons with the organization. Welcome hOme Justin!

A Scene from Rehearsal

Onyx sends a Huge Thank You to each of our 2026 Sponsors, without whom our programs may not exist! Every sponsor & every dollar contributes to our success and longevity. In 2027, Onyx will celebrate our 39th Anniversary!

2026 Sponsors!
Tim & Jeanne Cardinal
Chris & Beth Calhoun
John Siehl
Dan Carl
Jessica Lipman & Jeffrey Catt
Paula Leone
Janet Lentz
Jim & Susan Spence
Rhonda Porter
Jeff Dysart
Meredith Buckley
David Crook
Kevin Salinas
Chip Ellwood
Joshua Sharp
Michelle Beekman
Karen Harris
Devon Robinson
Kendra Wendeln
Zachary OConnor
Chris Walsh
Sam Walker
Bonnie Walker
Michael & Carol Hazlett
Stephanie Harget
Chuck & Staci Alfrey
Christine Cora
Randy Mills
Maggie Butner & Kyle Bellamy
Mikey Perkins
Chris Walsh
Peter LePage
Brad Takemura
Shea Vidourek
Reyn Libed
Seth Pearson
Jan Stogsdill
Angela & Adam Miller
Melissa Burnett
Chris & Natalie Blanford
Sandy & Dan Menker
Megan Welch
Kelly Mitchell
Lori Castro
Jamie Moster
Ron Klenk
Cube Wyric
Kate Stuart
Franklyn Spence
Kenneth Putnam
Randy & Rosanne Gulley
Margie Vilseck
Kim Smith
Raquel Teutle
Brandy Edward’s
Terri Butnam
Carli Mann
Elysia Shaver
The Hayes Family
Evie Gillilan
Matthew James
Kim Booher
Amanda Walker
Jacqueline Walls
Toast the Chicken
Greaser the Chicken
Donna LePrete
VFW 2800
Bridget McClaskie
Paul Tarter
Moose Fairborn
David Fonda
Teresa & Emmett Conyers
Laura Sherwood
Erica Perkins
Manzano Family/Leal Family
Matt & Mary Looney
VFW 5018
Connie Smith
David Hack
Jeanelle Sharp
Seth Shope
Amanda Unger
Jaime & Ali Martinez
Sam Young
Scott & Jessica Carr
Colson Family
Jayme, Freddie, Jamielee Holtgrefe
Fluffy Harff
Dion Colson
Kirsten Miller
In Memory of Lola
Bob Furnier
Christine Bathgate
Samantha Baker
Ryan Parslow
Abril Caraballo-Marin
Scott Elliot
Doug Mccarrroll
Daniel Minkel
Chelsea Lett
Meredythe Cross
Armand Melendez
Mark Fischer

Corporate Sponsors
Field & Floor FX
Designs By King
Joseph Heininger
Kroger
Lowes
Walmart
Fresh Thyme
Home Depot

Thank You All!

Interested in sponsoring Onyx? Contact us!
[email protected]

Please notify Onyx of any omissions or misspellings.

⭐️ Everyone is Welcome ⭐️

Onyx 2012 “Blank Canvas”
WGI World Champion 98.75

Onyx IW 2012 - Blank Canvas Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Looking back…
O2 Color Guard 2012
WGI IO Class Champions

O2 2012 "Memory" TriState Circuit Championships Performance

Onyx ‘22 WGI Finals-High Cam
“Sure on this Shining Night”
Bronze Medalist

Onyx: Dayton Finals 2022 Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.