Mark Vaughn - African Dance
Come take class with Mr. Mark Fridays at HPSD!
African Dance (Ages 5-10 years), 4:45-5:30 PM
- Ages 5-10 years
- Class Length: 45 minutes
- Purchase all 16 weeks for $310
African for Everyone, 5:30-6:30 PM
- Ages 11 & up + adults
- Class Length: 60 minutes
- Purchase all 16 weeks for $385, single drop-ins for $16 or use an 8-Class Card
Mark Vaughn began his dancing career with the Country Theater Workshop in Barbados in 1978, where he studied Afro-Caribbean, modern, and Jazz dance. In 1985, he attended a four- week dance, drum, and history workshop in Senegal West Africa. Mark returned to Senegal in 1988 to further his studies in African dance. He was twice National Dance Champion of his native country, and appeared in national plays and music videos.
In 1989, Mark migrated to the United States and worked with Najwa Dance Corps, Darlene Blackburn Dance Troupe, Wato Seta Dance Company, Muntu Dance Theater of Chicago, and The West Indian Folk Dance Company. In 1990, he appeared in Oprah Winfrey's television series "The Women of Brewster's Place," and in 1994, toured the U.S. with the internationally acclaimed musical, "Black Heroes in The Hall of Fame."
Mark has taught at Northern Illinois University, The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Morgan State University, Columbia College in Chicago, and Purdue University, where he was Artist in Residence for four years. He also served as musical director for Urban Credo, Spirited Voices Echoed Visions, a performing company sponsored by Columbia College and Dance Africa Chicago. For many years Mark taught dance at numerous secondary and primary schools in the Chicago-land area, and for Gallery 37 and After School Matters After-School Programs.
Presently, Mark teaches dance and music at Barbara A. Sizemore Academy in Chicago, dance at various public schools for River North Dance Company, is a musical accompanist for Hyde Park School of Dance, and is Musical Director with the West Indian Folk Dance Company, after more than twenty years of service. Mark is a well-accomplished musician, costume-designer, drum maker, jeweler, and craftsman. He has studied Senegalese, Guinean, South African and Ghanaian dance and music.