- International Dance Council Member
- With Fred Astaire Dance Studios for over 20 years
BIO
Mark “Corky” Ballas began dancing at age six, and has been part of the Fred Astaire Dance Studios’ family for his entire life (his father, George Ballas, was associated with FADS since the 1960’s). Corky has danced Pro/Am American Style and Flamenco, and is the only American to have won a U.S. Pro/Am Championship as a juvenile, pre-teen and amateur; and to then go on to win a U.S. Open Professional Latin title… thus completing a full competitive circle from Pro/Am champion to Professional Champion. He’s danced professionally on Dancing with the Stars, has appeared in a Super Bowl Diet Pepsi commercial, is an author of several dance books, has collaborated on numerous instructional videos, as well as ISTD and IOC dance & figure skating syllabi. Corky is also currently working with FADS Corporate to implement streaming & digital media into our studios.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- 10-Time United States Champion
- 3-Time Open to The World Professional Latin Champion
- 3-Time British Champion
- 3-Time International – United Kingdom – European
- 6-Time World Formation Team Coach
- Dual of the Giants Champion
- Dancing with the Stars Professional (Season 11, 2010)
- Diet Pepsi Super Bowl Commercial
- Created over 100 Instructional Dance Streams
- Produced 3 Latin/Ballroom CDs
- Fellow and Examiner with ISTD U.K. and DVIDA U.S.A.
- Author of ISTD UK Syllabus
- Author of “See IT and Do It”
- Author of “Chloe goes to London” (Children’s dance book)
- Author of Figure Ice Skating Syllabus – IOC
- Latin Syllabus with DWTS Karina Smirnoff and Slavik Krylyvvy
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- American Smooth
- American Rhythm
- International Ballroom
- International Latin
- Professional Certification
- Show Dance
- Theatre Arts
- Creative Choreography
- Music editing
- Easy Instruction from Novice to Professional Level
- Teaching Man Lead – Lady Follow – Systematic Method
- Redefine Your Look and Style
- Teaching / Training Children (5+ years old)
Mark “Corky” Ballas is part of the prestigious Fred Astaire Dance Studios International Dance Council, which oversees Dance Instructor training and certification, judges (Professional, Amateur, Pro/Am) at Regional, National & International Fred Astaire Dance Studio Dance Competition events, actively coaches our Students & Instructors in dance studio locations across our network, and continuously reviews our proprietary dance curriculum to ensure only the finest, most up-to-date programs for our Students. For more information on the Fred Astaire International Dance Council or any of its members, please contact us.