Judges For The
World Dance Championship
Blake Krapels
Blake Krapels, a 2011 United States Presidential Scholar in the Arts, trained in New Jersey under the tutelage of Billy Larson and Jamie Salmon. In 2015 Blake graduated with a BFA from The Juilliard School, where he performed repertoire by William Forsythe, Merce Cunningham, Elliot Feld, Jose Limon, and Peter Chu. In addition to his core training, Blake participated in Summer Intensives at Nederlands Dans Theatre and Springboard Danse Montreal. After graduation, Blake spent 4 years with Philadelphia’s BalletX. He also has danced with The Metropolitan Opera, Keigwin & Company, GroundWorks Dance Theatre, Emery LeCrone Dance, Konverjdans and most recently DanceAspen. While dancing with DanceAspen he worked with Matthew Neenan, Penny Saunders, Cayetano Soto and Yue Yin. As of recently he has taken on the role as an artist and company manager with South Dakota Ballet. Blake’s choreography has been presented at The Kennedy Center, Cleveland DanceWorks 2017, The Peter Jay Sharp Theater, First State Ballet Theater, APAP Conference in NYC, DanceAspen and South Dakota Ballet. |
Hunter Lehman
As a professional dancer starting at age seventeen, Hunter has performed/choreographed all over the world. He moved to New York City for college attending AMDA. His credits include music videos featuring Jenna Rose in Long Island, NY, company member for DTUSA Dance Company, apprentice for BODYART NYC, performer/dance captain aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines, performer/lead tumbler/aerialist for Celebrity Cruises, Broadway Debut landing the role of “Eddie” in the hit musical MAMMA MIA!. His choreography has reached across the country, hitting studio work and UDA representation. He was also an NCA Cheerleader in 2014. In addition to his dance career, he has worked for both VOGUE and Calvin Klein being a model for both summer catalogs in 2018. Moving from Los Angeles all the way to New York City, Hunter Lehman is now a choreographer and director for Norwegian Cruise Lines. His passion of performing, choreographing, and teaching tumbling will continue to grow every yea |
Lisa White
Lisa White is excited to be judging for Starpower and the SDA. Lisa received her training in Chicago with Gus Giordano and taught for Lou Conte Dance Studio, home of Hubbard Street Dance Company, River North Dance Studio and Studio 34 in Las Vegas. Lisa has performed as a Rockette with the Radio City Rockettes in “The Great Radio City Spectacular” at the Flamingo Hilton in Las Vegas and “ The Radio City Christmas Spectacular” in Branson, MO. She has performed in numerous musicals which include “Sophisticated Ladies”, “Guys and Dolls”, “West Side Story”, “Sweet Charity”, “Funny Girl” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”. Some of her favorite roles include the Tango dancer in “Evita” and Cyd Charisse in “Singin’ in the Rain”. Lisa toured nationally and internationally with “The Magic of David Copperfield” making television appearances on his CBS specials, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show and The Arsenio Hall Show. She has appeared in the motion pictures “Red Heat” with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Belushi and “The Babe” with John Goodman. Lisa has appeared in national commercials for McDonalds, Kraft, and Las Vegas hotels Luxor, Caesar’s Palace, and Treasure Island. In 2023, Lisa was humbled to receive the Grace Wakefield Lifetime Achievement Award. She is forever grateful to Gary, Grace, and the entire SDA for this honor and numerous opportunities. Encouraging young dancers to pursue their dreams has been a privilege and watching the evolution of dance is continuously inspiring. Lisa currently resides in Las Vegas teaching master classes and choreographing in the trade show industry.
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Ted Keener
Originally from Pennsylvania, Ted received his classical ballet training from the North Carolina School of the Arts, The Rock School, and Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Ted danced professionally with Richmond Ballet, The Sacramento Ballet, Smuin Contemporary Ballet, and the National Choreographers Initiative. He also toured across the United States and Canada with Fiddler on the Roof and The Phantom of the Opera in the role of Hannibal Solo Dancer. Ted currently teaches ballet on faculty at the Institute for American Musical Theatre and Broadway Dance Center in NYC, is a proud member of Actors Equity Association, and holds certifications in both Personal Training (NASM) and Pilates Mat (Equinox). He loves sharing his knowledge of classical technique and body mechanics with dancers of all styles to help them have safe and successful careers! |
Maddie Parrish
Maddie is a performer and personal/group trainer based out of NYC. Nat’l/Int’l Tour: Finding Neverland (Peter Pan/Ensemble), Parsons Dance (Company Member). NYC: Crystal Pite’s Polaris at NYCC, The Lost Garden at the McKittrick Hotel. BFA Dance from NYU Tisch. Representation: LDC Artist Representation |
Dre DiLorenzo
Dre DiLorenzo is in her 3rd season as a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader currently serving as CoCaptain. As an MDC she leads the Junior Dolphins Cheer and Ballet Clinics and has performed in halftime routines with Trina, Trick Daddy, and Uncle Luke. She was named Veteran of the Year for the 2023-2024 season and had an article published by Business Insider about her unique entry into the NFL Cheer space. Her professional career began at the age of 11 as Clara in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. She studied with New Jersey Ballet as a member of their Junior Company and spent her summers training in NYC with American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey, and Juilliard. With New Jersey Ballet she toured throughout the state performing in numerous ballets, with her favorite role performing as the lead role of Clara in the Nutcracker with full orchestra at Papermill Playhouse, the State Theatre of New Jersey, for 3 years. Dre has also performed in the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium and Formula 1 Grand Prix in Miami. She was a print model for A Wish Come True Costume Catalogue and has been featured in D a n c e S p i r i t , P o i n t e M a g a z i n e , a n d Bloomingdale’s catalogues. She received her BS in Kinesiology and BA in Communication from University of Maryland and now teaches privates and master classes. |
Amelia Burkhardt
Amelia Burkhardt – was born & raised in Thousand Oaks, CA. Growing up a competition dancer herself, she was awarded many overall soloist awards & scholarships from competitions & conventions all over California, including a one year scholarship to Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles. Amelia then continued her professional career & training in North Hollywood, CA for many years. Some of her credits include In The Heights, Legally Blonde, Kinky Boots, Peter Pan, Elf The Musical, The Hello Kitty Festival National Tour, Chicago 25th Anniversary Event, The Green Room 42 Cabaret, Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush, Good Morning America, FOX ‘Mobbed’, Rosario Dawson’s ‘Voto Latino’ Campaign, Maya Angelou’s ‘Harlem Hopscotch’ Music Video, & NY Theatre Barn. Amelia is professionally represented by LDC Artist Representation Agency in NYC. She currently is a Guest Teacher at the legendary Steps On Broadway in NYC & also is Teaching Artist for Liberate Artists, traveling to teach intensives all over the U.S., Hawaii, & Australia. Amelia has danced for the famous Choreographers, Galen Hooks, NabbyTabs, Tyce Diorio, Matt Cady, Karla Puno Garcia & Neil Schwartz. She was a featured dancer & one of the Assistant Production coordinators for the World famous dance show, Choreographers’ Carnival in L.A. She was a Company Member & Assistant for the popular L.A. based Company, Mischief Makers. They were invited to perform all across Los Angeles, Hawaii, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, & San Francisco. Amelia travels the U.S. judging Dance Competitions for Star Dance Alliance. Over her career, she has taught & choreographed at numerous dance studios, high schools, & Universities all over the country. Amelia resides in NYC, continuing to pursue her professional dance, musical theatre & teaching career. |
Matthew Polacek
Matt hails from Syracuse, NY where he received training under Tawn LaFrance and Tami Zerillo. As a competitive dancer he won several national titles, both as a soloist and with his team. After moving to New York City in 2006, Matt studied dance at NYUs Tisch school of the Arts. Matt has appeared in works by names such as Deborah Jowett, Complexions Ballet, and Larry Keigwins Keigwin + Company.
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Rosemary Rado
Rosemary has danced on Broadway,national and international tours. Her Broadway and national credits are The Music Man, Can Can, Hello Dolly, 42nd Street, A Chorus Line, The Rockettes, as well as The King and I, and Pippin Theatre by the sea. She has performed in many industrials and commercials and had the opportunity to dance for The King of Morocco. Rosemary has directed many middle and high school theatre productions in the NJ area and has taught dance all around the country. She is a Pilates instructor and is so happy to be back at the SDA as a judge!
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Hunter Lehman
As a professional dancer starting at age seventeen, Hunter has performed/choreographed all over the world. He moved to New York City for college attending AMDA. His credits include music videos featuring Jenna Rose in Long Island, NY, company member for DTUSA Dance Company, apprentice for BODYART NYC, performer/dance captain aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines, performer/lead tumbler/aerialist for Celebrity Cruises, Broadway Debut landing the role of “Eddie” in the hit musical MAMMA MIA!. His choreography has reached across the country, hitting studio work and UDA representation. He was also an NCA Cheerleader in 2014. In addition to his dance career, he has worked for both VOGUE and Calvin Klein being a model for both summer catalogs in 2018. Moving from Los Angeles all the way to New York City, Hunter Lehman is now a choreographer and director for Norwegian Cruise Lines. His passion of performing, choreographing, and teaching tumbling will continue to grow every year. |
Aaron Smyth
At 17, he left home in Australia to chase his dream to be a professional ballet dancer. Since then, he has been a company member with the American Ballet Theatre II In New York, The Royal Ballet in London and The Joffrey Ballet in Chicago as well as being an original cast member in London’s West End production of An American In Paris choreographed and directed by Christopher Wheeldon. He has danced for royalty, the Obamas and beautiful people like you as he now travels the globe as a guest principal artist. He’s also danced on TV, appearing on two series of the Got Talent franchise, coming third in Australia and making the quarter finals in America. He is also featured on the ballet documentary “First Position”. He won the Gold Medal and audience choice award at the prestigious Genee International Ballet Competition and have won 5 X medals at other International Ballet Competitions. He recently received the Special Jury prize for Best Performer at the Shanghai International Ballet Competition. He is the founding director of his company Dance For Humanity and he recently played the role of the Snow Cavalier in Disney’s The Nutcracker in the Four Realms feature film dancing with Misty Copeland. Aaron recently finished performing in Billy Elliot the Musical as Older Billy in the 10th anniversary tour of Australia as well as the new Elvis movie |
Rachel Litzky
Originally from New Jersey, Rachel was a competitive dancer from a young age where she won numerous local and national awards. Rachel received her formal training in jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, ballet and contemporary at a dance studio in Northern New Jersey and New York City. After receiving a B.S. in Psychology from Towson University, in Maryland, Rachel began her teaching career where she became a dance school’s studio manager, competition team director, and taught all ages in numerous different dance styles. Rachel has been working as a professional dancer for the past10 years, having had the opportunity to perform with numerous productions and companies throughout the US and abroad, including regional theatre, cruise ships, casinos, theme parks, lounges, and more. Most recently Rachel moved back to the US with her family after living in Scotland for the past few years. While in the UK, Rachel was able to continue performing and choreographing for dance studios in the area along with mentoring a competition team in Southwest Scotland. It has been such an honor to be able to perform and teach in so many different places. Dance has always been Rachel’s passion from a young age and being able to share her knowledge and experiences with others is a dream come true. |
Jana Stafford
Jana Stafford has been involved in dance since the age of 3. She is trained in all areas and specializes in jazz, lyrical and contemporary. Growing up, Jana trained with many well known choreographers who include Mia Michels, Brian Friedman, Jason Parsons, Gus Giordano, Frank Hatchett, Sheila Barker and Mandy Moore. Growing up as a competition dancer herself she received many scholarships to study and further her career in dance. She studied and trained in NYC for several summers. Upon graduating high school, she received a full dance scholarship to attend UNCC where she obtained a B.A in Dance Performance and Dance Education. Jana was also involved in her college dance team who placed first in their division for the 4 years she attended. Being on a college dance team brought her the opportunity to work with NDA, where she traveled across the US teaching and choreographing for college dance teams. Jana is currently a competition director for a studio in NC and has been for the past 18 years. She teaches and choreographs jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop to all ages who are in competition. Each year her students and choreography place nationally in all of these areas. Many of her students continue to dance after graduating and are currently working in the dance industry such as NBA dance teams, Radio City Rockettes and multiple Broadway shows to name a few. Judging for Starpower is one of her many joys and enjoys traveling across the country to witness the amazing talent.
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Shane Stitely
Shane Stitely, originally from Fairfield, Pennsylvania, is a dancer, master teacher, choreographer and costumer who resides in the New York City area. He has been working professionally in the world of dance for the past 24 years. He is a graduate of Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Dance degree, with a concentration in Jazz. He has trained with and performed for famed choreographers Robert Battle, Kevin O’Day, Margo Sappington, Linda Haberman, Alberto Arias, Daniel Ezralow, Lynn Taylor Corbett, Tiger Martina, Tony Stevens, Dan Molina, Ann Reinking, and Mark Esposito. Some performance credits include: the national and international tours of Fosse (principal/dance captain), The Radio City Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall (11 consecutive seasons) (rehearsal/choreography assistant), Tokyo Disneyland, The Full Monty, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Who’s Tommy, Carousel, The Pirates of Penzance, ABC Daytime Salutes BCEFA, Pittsburgh CLO, Gateway Playhouse, and several industrials for companies such as Rite Aid and State Farm. Shane has performed in television, commercials, and film with Jennifer Hudson, Susan Lucci, Jim Carrey, Jessica Simpson, Kristine W, Martha and the Vandellas, and Jason Mraz. While on tour with Fosse, Shane was the master instructor of the Fosse technique at studios and colleges around the United States as well as internationally. Shane now serves as the Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor for the Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes at the iconic Radio City Music Hall. As a costumer, he has worked with and along side artists Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Ariana Grande, Pitbull, Lil Nas X, Trixie Mattel, Katya, Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, among many others. Shane invites all the artists he has the honor of adjudicating this season to believe in the strength, promise, and vibrancy of the internal light each of them possess!
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Alida Michal
Alida Michal, born in Delft, The Netherlands, grew up in Los Angeles where she trained in multiple dance disciplines.</span> A two-time semi-finalist at the world renowned Dorothy Chandler Pavilion- Los Angeles Music Center’s Spotlight awards in Ballet, and a finalist of the Emerging Young Artist Awards, she received scholarships to such renowned summer programs such as American Ballet Theatre, Pittsburg Ballet Theatre, and Kaatsbaan. Alida was offered a trainee-ship with Ballet Austin and the following year apprenticed with the Sacramento Ballet, performing such works as Rubies, Four Temperaments, Giselle, and Serenade to name a few. Deciding to pursue her love of musical theatre, Alida returned to her hometown of Los Angeles to earn her BA in Theatre (Musical Theatre specialization) from the Ray Bolger Musical Theatre Program at UCLA’s School of Theatre Film and Television in three years. Since relocating to New York City, she’s continued to work professionally and studies with some of the top professionals in the field. Alida has had the privilege to perform shows such as Wicked, An American in Paris, Anastasia, West Side Story, Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Wonderful Town, Victor/Victoria, Hello Dolly, White Christmas, and Anything Goes. |
Justina Aveyard
Justina Aveyard is a professional dancer and choreographer hailing from Toronto, Canada. Growing up, Justina excelled in all styles and won numerous titles at dance competitions throughout North America. Justina continued her dance training at The Ailey School in New York City where she trained with renowned faculty and acclaimed choreographers. Upon graduation, Justina became a dancer with Broadway Dance Lab where she collaborates with Broadway choreographers to help create innovative choreography for upcoming musicals. Justina also works with RWS Entertainment Group on creating productions for Holland America, Azamara and MSC Cruise Lines. Justina has performed in the Tony award winning musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at The Muny, toured internationally with Step One Dance Company, and continues to perform annually in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Additionally, Justina has been seen dancing in commercials for iconic brands like Kate Space and Audi. Justina absolutely loves teaching at conventions and studios across the United States and Canada as well as being an assistant to numerous Broadway and TV/Film choreographers. |
Sara Thurman
Sara was born and raised outside Atlanta, Georgia. She began dancing at the age of two and competing at the age of four. Sara was fortunate to have the opportunity to train at some of the most well renowned institutions in the industry. These included, but are not limited to, Broadway Dance Center, EDGE Performing Arts Center, Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and River North Dance Company. Sara has experience performing both nationally and internationally. Her performance credits include Bloomingdales, The Coca-Cola Company, JLL, Music Midtown, National Auto Sales, Peloton, SEC Championship Game, Siemens and Walt Disney World. Sara is employed by numerous dance studios as a teacher and choreographer, and by multiple entertainment companies as a performer. Seasonally, she coaches and mentors eager contestants for upcoming pageants. |