Marck "Flaco" Best

Art Form(s):

Dance & Movement

Artist Statement

All forms of art uplift the voice of a person, and some forms allow that person to be heard without speaking. This is important because everyone has something to say, but not everyone wants to talk...and some people can't.

An outlet for expression is really important, and so is the confidence one gets from getting "good" at something, and taking pride in one's own works of creation. It could be a photo you take or a birdhouse you build. If I can help a kid find their voice or self confidence, it's been a great day in my life.

Artist Bio

Marck “Flaco” Best is a native Philadelphia resident who has been teaching dance for over 20 years. His curiosity about his African & Cuban roots led to a concentration on Latin rhythms. He has studied with The American Ballroom Theater under Mr. Pierre Dulane, and travels the world learning from teachers who are steeped in the cultures and traditions they live and teach. Most recently, his travels took him to Havana, Cuba, where he studied Rumba Cubana with Los Rumberos De Mayambeque, as well as other indigenous styles of dance. Although his area of concentration is Latin dances, he is in no way limited to that sphere. He is also an accomplished Ballroom & social dancer, performer & teacher.

Going on 20 years on the YANJ roster, Maestro Flaco, as he is called, owns a dance studio in Jenkintown, PA, and is a former Adjunct Associate Professor of Dance at both Bryn Mawr College and the now defunct University of the Arts in Philadelphia. While he loves dancing, he loves teaching even more.

As a performer, he has to his credit several appearances in the Philly area, including LOVE Park, Sunoco “Welcome, America!,” and The Kimmel Center, to name a few. He also boasts a guest appearance aboard The Tom Joyner Cruise 2005 & appearing in the motion picture, “21 Bridges,” starring the late Chadwick Boseman & Keith David.