Judges For The

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.