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For more than three decades, Mark Roxey has built a remarkable career as a visionary
artist, choreographer, educator, producer, and cultural leader. As the Founder and Artistic
Director of Roxey Ballet, Mark has transformed a grassroots dream into a world-class dance
entity, guiding the company with creativity, innovation, and a commitment to community
impact. His leadership spans far beyond the role of a traditional artistic director: Mark is a
programmer, builder of systems, manager, and master collaborator who has designed and
sustained bold productions that bridge art forms, audiences, and technology.
Raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, Mark first discovered the
power of movement through breakdancing, using it as a form of personal expression and
growth. That passion carried him to the concert dance stage, where he earned a full
scholarship to The Joffrey Ballet School and performed with Joffrey Ballet II, The Joffrey
Ballet, American Repertory Ballet, and Dayton Ballet, ultimately dancing as a principal artist
with his partner and wife, Melissa Roxey. Throughout his career, Mark has performed in
works by some of the most legendary choreographers of the 20th century—George
Balanchine, Gerald Arpino, Robert Joffrey, Paul Taylor, José Limón, Alvin Ailey, Twyla Tharp,
William Forsythe, John Cranko, John Butler, Marius Petipa, and August
Bournonville—appearing on international stages as a celebrated artist.
At Roxey Ballet and its educational partner, Mill Ballet School, Mark has created hundreds of
original works and directed landmark productions ranging from The Nutcracker and
Dracula to socially impactful pieces such as C-Word: Stories of Triumph Over Breast Cancer
and audience favorites like Journey Back to the 80s. He is also the creator of the acclaimed
River Dance Festival, which has provided a platform for hundreds of choreographers and
dancers to create and share new works. Over his career, he has commissioned hundreds of

artists and taught tens of thousands of children, shaping the next generation of dancers and
arts lovers.
Mark’s skills extend far beyond choreography. He has produced and directed productions
that blend boxing and dance, pioneered livestreaming for performing arts, and built systems
that allow Roxey Ballet to thrive both in-person and online. His projects are as diverse as his
vision—spanning traditional ballet, cutting-edge multimedia, large-scale concerts, and
intimate community events.
Mark has also been a longtime champion for artists with disabilities. Together with Melissa,
he co-founded the Arts Access Program at Matheny Medical Center, where they spent more
than a decade creating groundbreaking choreography and training opportunities for
individuals with severe disabilities. His leadership in this area continues today: he has
served on numerous boards and committees, including Dance/USA, APAP, IPAY, Dance NJ
(as former President), and the Mid-Atlantic Arts Disability Justice Committee, among others.
His teaching career has touched institutions from Princeton Ballet School to Wright State
University, public schools, YMCAs, and national festivals. Thousands of dancers have trained
under his guidance, inspired by his creativity, discipline, and dedication to excellence.
Mark’s leadership has been recognized across the arts sector: he has been honored with the
NJ Governor’s Award in the Arts and was named Hunterdon County’s #1 Mover & Shaker.
Above all, Mark has dedicated his life to creating art that uplifts, connects, and inspires
communities. Whether through dance, boxing, livestreams, or large-scale productions, he
continues to build bridges between disciplines and people, shaping a legacy of innovation,
artistry, and opportunity.