Mr. Naska is an internationally known, award winning choreographer, director, dancer, and master teacher with over three decades of performing and teaching experience in Europe and the U.S.A.
He started his ballet training at age of 10 at the Albania’s National Ballet School and studied choreography at the Tirana University of Arts. In 1991 he moved to Turkey where he danced with Istanbul State Opera and Ballet and the Istanbul City Theater. After moving to Chicago in 1999, 
Mr. Naska danced for four seasons with contemporary dance troupes Thodos Dance Chicago and Mordine & Company to name a few and performed as guest artist in several suburban productions of “Nutcracker” and “Cinderella.
His directing and choreography work include:

 

· Thodos Dance Chicago’s New Dances 2000-2003

· The Dutch National Ballet’s 2004 New Voices program

· The Joffrey Ballet dancers for Dance Chicago 2005 Choreography Project

· Stars of Dance Chicago 2006 – Present

· Artistic Director for Chicago Dance Theatre 2007 season

· SPACE Conservatory for Music, Dance and Drama as co-founder and director 2005-2015.

 

Mr. Naska is recognized for his fusion of ballet, character dance and modern techniques and has taught master classes and workshops all around Chicago-area, nationally and internationally.

In 2003, Mr. Naska was honored with Albania’s highest artistic achievement award for his choreography and outstanding professional career overseas. In 2007 he received the Dance Chicago’s Outstanding Choreography Award, and in 2012 was chosen as one of the 100 success stories of Albanian Excellence.

Currently, besides owning and directing Plainfield Dance Academy, Mr. Naska serves in several NFP dance organizations.

 

. Co-Founder and artistic director of the Chicago Music and Dance international, 
an organization committed to honor and celebrate culturally diverse forms of dance 
through presentation, education and support of local artists.

· Executive Artistic Director of Wheatland Dance Theater, a youth dance company affiliated with PDA with mission to foster a passion for artistic dance, to increase the community’s cultural awareness.

· Artistic and Touring Director of the Stars of Dance Chicago.