MEET THE JUDGES

  • Kenny Borchard (he/him) is the Executive Director of The Joffrey Workshop, an In-Studio Concert Dance Workshop that travels around the country. He is an alumni of Idyllwild Arts Academy and the University of Arizona. Since graduating Kenny has worked on television and commercial projects with credits including a featured role on TruTV’s Fake Off, What Not to Wear, Toyota Pruis, Mobbed, and Lifetime’s Petals on the Wind. Kenny has worked with Odyssey Dance Theatre, Solevita Dance Company, Pacific Festival Ballet, and Pasadena Dance Theatre among others. Kenny was also a cast member of “Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular” at Disney’s California Adventure.

    As an educator, Mr. Borchard has taught on the faculty of Broadway Dance Center's Children and Teen Program, and has taught as a guest educator/choreographer around the country. Since finishing his performing career, Kenny has committed to creating welcoming dance spaces where all students feel welcomed and honored for who they are and how they show up.

  • Carlos de Barros, a graduate of the University of Florida/New World School of the Arts collaborative dance program, holds a BFA in Dance. He has continued to enhance his training through annual workshops and classes, as well as fitness certifications in Zumba and Piyo, children's yoga, and is currently pursuing both his certified personal trainer and 300 Advanced Yoga Teacher training. He brings over 15 years of teaching experience to his work, having instructed at Bak Middle School of the Arts and various schools nationally, while also serving as a guest choreographer at institutions such as Palm Beach Atlantic University. Through this extensive teaching experience, Carlos has honed his ability to provide valuable feedback and instruction to dancers of all levels.

    In addition to his teaching roles, he has contributed as a choreographer, performer, and model for various projects, showcasing his versatility and passion for the arts. With a professional dance career spanning multiple companies including Miami’s American Dance Theatre and The Demetrius Klein Dance Company, Carlos has also performed as a guest dancer in various productions and music videos. As a freelance instructor and coach, Carlos continues to share his expertise in dance, yoga, and fitness, empowering students to develop their skills and artistic expression. He looks forward to joining the Leap family this year!

  • Estefania moved to Los Angeles from Raleigh, North Carolina when she was 18 years old.

    She was hired to be a dancer on the TV show, Glee. She then got to travel the world on tour with 5th Harmony and Natalie La Rose.

    Estefania has starred in many national commercials like Hyundai, Wells Fargo, Invisalign, Lo’Real and Old Navy.

    She moved to Las Vegas to star in Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque Du Soleil as a principal dancer. Estefania has also worked with Janet Jackson, Riley Clemmons, Justin Bieber, and Mariah Carey to name a few.

    She was most recently part of the crew for Beyoncés BLACK IS KING. And worked with Top Model, Tabria Majors, on multiple projects. Estefania also creative directs and does movement coaching for music videos, commercials, and most recently the Versace Fashion Show in Los Angeles.

    Estefania has also been exploring acting and has been featured on Netflix shows and movies airing in 2023 and 2024. Currently, she is on a world tour with ¨We are Family¨ Sister Sledge.

    Another huge passion of hers is teaching and mentoring the next generation of dancers. She has had the opportunity to teach dance to kids and young adults around the world and hopes to start her non profit for kids in tough communities to dance and establish a career in the entertainment industry at the end of this year!

  • Christina Davenport lives in Fort Wayne, IN and travels the country as a freelance choreographer, master class teacher, and judge. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, she founded and owned Elite Dance Center from 2011-2021. She was the studio's creative director and lead choreographer since its inception. She recently sold her studio to focus on her freelance choreography and master classes, as well as being a mom to her three young children. Christina is currently on staff at Evolve Dance Force and teaches at various studios throughout the Midwest, providing choreography and technical training. She also offers training to faculty members to enhance their knowledge and provide up-to-date teaching techniques. Throughout her career, Christina’s technical training and choreography prowess have won her numerous regional and national awards. She prides herself on cultivating the best in her students and setting them up for success. Many of her students have gone on to win prestigious scholarships to various training programs and universities and have successful careers in dance, musical theater, and the arts. Her motivation has always been to see students grow both technically and artistically, which she looks forward to fostering through her work as a judge this season.

  • Anna Esposito is a dancer, performer, choreographer, and teacher from Minneapolis, MN. From a young age, Anna began dancing and performing in musical theatre and has been seen on many stages in the Twin Cities including Stages Theatre Company, Youth Performance Company, Lyric Arts, The Children’s Theatre, The Ordway and more. She danced in both the Keane Sense of Rhythm Youth Tap Ensemble and Professional Company, and simultaneously began traveling to tap festivals internationally to learn from and train with masters of the art form.

    Professionally as a tap dancer she has performed with Rhythm Street Movement in The Waking Up Project, Revive the Vibe Driveway Tour, and Who Brought the Humbug? Cabarave’s “Girls Just Want To..” “MadHaus 2 and 3” “Euphoria” and “Love Languages”, performed in professional showcases at the Twin Cities Tap Festival, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Ladek Zrodj International Dance Festival, been a featured tap dancer in “Riverpants” at The Big Top Chautauqua and Mick Sterling Presents Three Stars Born at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, choreographed and danced in Rochester Motor’s car commercials, among others.

    She has been on faculty for Omaha Rhythm Weekend, Swinging into Summer, and currently tours with Rhythm Street Movement and teaches and choreographs at multiple dance studios and theatres around the Midwest where her students and choreography have won multiple awards regionally and nationally.

  • Tammy Everhart has been teaching dance and movement for more than 40 years. She owned and operated a very successful dance studio in Kennesaw, Georgia for 22 years and has trained and mentored countless professional dancers. Tammy produced original shows at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina for more than 10 years, and collaborated with the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra on 3 works including an original composition by GYSO Philharmonic Director Dr. Steven Eric Hawk. She directed a youth performance company in the Atlanta area for more than 20 years, providing a creative outlet for dancers to serve their community by performing in a non-competitive environment, making dance accessible to all members of the community. Tammy currently focuses on training and educating dancers of all ages in studio environments and particularly enjoys sharing her passion for Tap dance as a Professor of Dance at Kennesaw State University in Georgia.

  • Jean Wenzel boasts a decades-long career leaving an indelible mark on the dance community. Originating from Minneapolis, her journey began at the University of Minnesota, propelling her to share the stage with entertainment giants.

    For 13 years, she was the creative force behind a thriving dance studio, molding countless talents. As a distinguished faculty member at Dean College Palladino School of Dance for 38 years, Jean, a professor of Tap, choreography, and musical theater, inspired generations of artists. Beyond the classroom, she has choreographed musicals, awarded scholarships through Dean College, and remained at the forefront of her field through workshops and events.

    Jean held prestigious roles in Dance Masters New England Chapter 5. In 2022, her exceptional contributions earned a lifetime achievement award, highlighting her impact. She has also represented America twice at the World Tap Championships in Germany, showcasing her talents on a global stage.

    Her expertise led her to adjudicate competitions nationwide. Jean's heart lies in judging, generously imparting wisdom. Her unwavering passion and legacy continue to inspire the dance community, a testament to dedication, talent, and boundless love for the art.

  • Kalie-Ann is a Los Angeles-based professional dancer and actress represented by Go2Talent and Bicoastal Mgmt. She has danced with The Weeknd, SZA, Sia, Elyanna, New Kids On The Block, Tinashe, Diljit Dosanjh, Mike Posner, and Louis The Child. She can be seen in commercials for brands such as Nike, Toyota, TCL, Sonic Drive-In, AT&T, Nerf, Doosan, Sony Music, and more. She toured Europe with Art on Ice where she danced with artists Mel C, Rag'n'Bone Man, Elle, and Gjon's Tears. Currently she is preparing for a national tour dancing with Elyanna. Her choreography has been showcased at Paris Fashion Week along with a variety of music videos, commercials, and live performances around the world. She is best known for her principal role on the Emmy Nominated Disney Plus Show 'Shook'.

    She grew up in competition dance on the East Coast, spending her summers training at the Joffrey School of Ballet. She began working in the commercial dance world in LA at the age of 16 and hasn't looked back since. While balancing working in the commercial world and attending university, Kalie-Ann received her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Elon University along with a B.A. in Strategic Communications. In addition to training and working around the country, she has also had the honor of teaching all around the country. She has had the pleasure of working with dancers of all levels ranging in age from 2 to 82. These experiences have provided Kalie-Ann with a wealth of knowledge on how to help any dancer work to improve from where they're at in their dance journey. She brings this knowledge paired with her industry experience as a professional dancer with her each time she steps behind the judge's table. When she is not dancing, teaching, or judging you can find her hanging out with her four legged best friend Leonard.

  • Peter Sabasino, a native of Philadelphia, PA, began his dance training at the age of four at a local dance studio, learning Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Tap, but found that Tap and Hip-Hop were his home. At the age of fourteen he was accepted into The Philadelphia High School for Creative And Performing Arts as a dance major. It was there that he expanded his diverse background by adding Modern, African, Ballroom, and Broadway to his repertoire. This led him to discover his third love….Broadway Jazz. At the start of his senior year, Peter graduated his dance school and began traveling back and forth between Philadelphia and New York to study at Broadway Dance Center and Steps On Broadway, where he had the opportunity to train under such greats as Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Barbara Duffy, Tyce Diorio, Rhapsody James, and Brian Green — to name a few.

    After graduating high school, Peter continued his training at Indiana University of PA where he studied with Joan Van Dyke, the head of the Ballet program at the Governor’s School of the Arts. After college Peter was blessed with what he considers his BIGGEST achievement — securing a spot as a Top 16 Finalist on Fox Television’s hit reality show, “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 6, being the last of three Tap dancers to be eliminated. It is there that Peter believes his views and philosophies of dance were molded by the many amazing choreographers and dancers he was blessed to work with. Since SYTYCD, Peter has worked in a number of roles, including as a principal dancer in a commercial for Walt Disney World, and as a choreographer for an episode of the television show “The Right Stuff” on the National Geographic channel, produced by Leonardo DiCaprio. Peter is currently the host/emcee, and sometimes judge, for Shake The Ground Dance Competition, as well as the Founder/Director of the newly formed Orlando Tap Company which is based out of Orlando, FL.

  • Courtney Greteman-Taylor has been dancing and teaching professionally for the last 20 years. Graduating from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a Bachelor in Performing Arts, Courtney’s focus was in Jazz and Theatre working closely with Roni Koresh, Molly Misgalla, Donald Lunsford, and Wayne St. David.

    She was a performer for Right Touch Productions in Atlantic City, NJ - performing regularly at Caesar’s Palace, Trump Plaza, and Trump’s Taj Mahal and also spent time with Stiletto Entertainment and Holland America Cruise Lines as a cast member and Company Manager. She performed original shows choreographed John Charron, Patti Colombo, Tabitha and Napoleon D’umo, and Tommy Tune and was costumed by Bob Mackey Studios. Most recently, she was involved in many special events headlined at the infamous NBC Rainbow Room in New York City.

    Courtney is a National Area Director for Dance Masters of America and the Immediate Past President of Dance Masters of Mid-America, Chapter 34. She spends her time teaching for Brekke Dance Center in West Des Moines, Iowa as well as coaching and choreographing for the Dowling Catholic High School dance team.

  • Emily Martin grew up right outside of Baltimore, Maryland. She began her training early with a concentration in ballet. Emily trained in and around the dc metropolitan area at schools such as Kirov Academy of Ballet, Washington Ballet, and Mid-Atlantic Center for the performing Arts. Realizing her passion for dance Emily finished high school early to further her training as a dance major. After completing two years of college Emily moved to New York City to begin dancing professionally with :Pushing Progress, a company under the direction of Calen Kurka. Emily has worked with choreographers such as Chris Hale, Maya Escueta, Shelly Masenior Hutchinson, Melissa WolfeRosbero, and many others. Emily moved to Annapolis, MD and began to pursue her teaching and choreography career teaching at studios up and down the east coast. In 2012, Emily was then offered her current position as owner and artistic director of Level Dance Project, where she continues to train young dancers in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and conditioning. Continuing her passion for education in dance Emily has received 4 Pilates certifications recently being certified through The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO as a Pilates advanced teacher. Emily is a sought out contemporary based choreographer that has set pieces of work throughout the country. Level Dance Project continues to thrive as one of the most successful competitive companies in Annapolis MD, earning regional and national titles.

  • Samantha Elliott is from Miami, FL. She has been dancing since the age of 4, and has trained at Miami City Ballet as well as local dance studios, where she studied all forms of dance. She continued her dance studies and graduated from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. She has been performing at sea for the last 10 years, and is currently a Dance Captain for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

    Some of her credits include:

    -“Vegas the Show” onboard the Pride of America

    -Dance Captain/ Showgirl at Sandcastle Guam

    -Broadway Christmas Wonderland in Tokyo, Japan

    -Dance Captain for “Sequins & Feathers” on board Quantum of the Seas.

    -Dance Captain for “Live, Love, Legs!” and “ The Beautiful Dream” onboard Ovation of the Seas.

  • Artistic director of ConteXture, Tracy Halloran, earned her BFA in dance at Marygrove College and her MFA in Choreography at the University of Michigan. In 2014, she was named a Kresge Fellow in Music and Dance. She has worked as a performer, teacher, choreographer, and rehearsal director in the dance world. She is also the co-founder of Detroit Dance Exchange, a program established to help local choreographers exhibit and explore their own professional works. Halloran’s choreography blurs the lines between dance genres and styles by combining the movement techniques of modern, hip hop, jazz and contemporary. She uses the dynamics of motion and choreographic levels to create explosive and exciting movement phrases, which juxtapose the delicacy of human emotion. In the past few years, Halloran has been a finalist in the Michigan Dance Council’s prestigious Maggie Allesee Choreography competition. Tracy’s choreography was selected to perform at the Tanzhafen Festival in Linz, Austria in Fall 2023. Ms. Halloran is an accomplished teacher in ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary and flexibility and strengthening techniques. Her students have performed as Rockette’s, NFL and NBA dancers, also with American Ballet Theatre, Zurich Ballet, Disney World’s Beauty and the Beast, and Royal Caribbean. They are also dancing for choreographers like Andrew Winghart, Talia Favia, and Liz Imperio. She has been an instructor all over the MidWest. She is currently on faculty at Company C Dance Club in Toledo, Ohio and is a consultant for the U.S Rhythmic Gymnastics team, aiding the gymnasts and coaches in high level training to qualify for the 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games.

  • Emily began her training as a dancer at Cheryl Priess Dickey’s School of Dance in Lincoln, NE, under the expert guidance of Cheryl Priess Dickey and Joy Tonniges. There she studied jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, tap, hip-hop, and improvisation. Her dedication and talent led her to become a distinguished member of the CPD Performing Dance Company, achieving numerous national titles as both an individual and group performer during her tenure with the team.

    Furthering her academic pursuits, Emily pursued higher education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her commitment to excellence extends beyond the stage, graduating with high distinction and earning her degree in Psychology, with minors in Dance and Sociology.

    Emily's expertise has been recognized on a national scale, as she has been invited to be an instructor for various Talent On Parade events — including their national competitions, the convention OK-LA, and The In10sive. She has also toured as a judge and director for In10sity Dance. Her reputation as a sought-after instructor has led her to travel extensively, teaching in dance studios across the country, notably working closely with Cheryl Priess Dickey.

    Presently, Emily channels her passion for dance into teaching and choreographing for Intermix Dance Company and Anderson-Hoxie Dance Project, both nationally recognized for their excellence. With a wealth of experience, she eagerly anticipates her ninth competition tour season, joining the team at Leap! National Dance Competition as a judge. She looks forward to every performance this season.

  • Heather Webb Jasso is Summit Dance Academy's Artistic Director. Mrs. Jasso is also a third-generation dance teacher and studio owner. Mrs. Jasso has instructed in Denver for over 15 years and been teaching for over 25 years. She was dancing before she could walk; and, aside from training with her mother, aunts, and grandparents (New York City Ballet), she has had the opportunity to travel and study under the dance “greats," Joe Tremaine, Brian Freidman, Tabitha, Mia Michaels, Terry Beaman, Dee Caspary, Wes Veldink, and David Scott.

    Mrs. Jasso is a title-winning dancer and choreographer at the regional and national level, winning numerous awards such as multiple FDC Judges’ Choice Awards, the Prime Time Scholarship Award, and World Dance Championship Invites in 2009 and 2011. Furthermore, she was awarded the Pulse Tour’s Teacher Scholarship in 2009 and was invited to compete in America’s Got Talent auditions in 2010. Heather was awarded Teacher of the Year in Panama City, Florida in 2011. Mrs. Jasso is also level 3 certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. She has traveled the country and been an adjudicator for national dance competitions from 2013-2023. In 2016 she was invited to adjudicate for Australia's Get The Beat International Competition.

    Mrs. Jasso has had students accepted to SUNY Purchase, AMDA, UNLV Rebel Girls, Oklahoma University, The Rockettes, and several Cruise Lines to name a few. She has also trained dancers accepted to PNB, SAB, and San Francisco Ballet. Mrs. Jasso main goal is to prepare dancers to be ready for the adult world, no matter what their dreams are.

  • Shawn Kurilko took his first tap class at the age of 7 and never looked back. He spent his youth training in a variety of dance styles throughout Southern California and broadened his education at Orange County High School of the Arts and Columbia College (Chicago). Shawn is a proud member of Jason Janas' tap dance company, Co.MMIT, and does commercial work in Los Angeles including television, films with Channing Tatum, and advertisements for Gucci. Shawn has also taught and performed internationally at some of the world's most renowned dance festivals and theaters.

  • Charity danced professionally for Walt Disney World in the theme parks, parades, hotels, and various shows. She also worked for Walt Disney World performing as Cinderella, and other Disney characters. While living abroad, Charity danced with the Heidelberg Ballet in Germany. She taught at the Heidelberg School of the Arts in Germany and was the director of their Tap and Jazz programs. She also taught at various youth services throughout Germany, including Mannheim, Worms, and Heidelberg.

    Charity has been teaching dance for 30+ years in the genres of Tap, Jazz, Musical Theater, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Acrobatics. She has choreographed, as part of a studio, as well as free-lance, for individuals for competitions, auditions, performances, and beauty pageants as well as for theater companies, middle school and high school dance teams and show choirs. She has choreographed numerous stage shows including Cabaret, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Bye Bye Birdie, Grease, Annie Get Your Gun, Oliver, and Anything Goes, to name a few.

    Charity is currently on staff, teaching at Robin Dawn Academy of Perforning Arts in Cape Coral, Florida, and is blessed every day that that dance is a part of her life.

  • Originally from Simi Valley, California, Caitlin has trained in many styles of dance including: Jazz, contemporary, Lyrical, Musical theater, Tap, Hip hop, heels, and Ballet. She Graduated Santa Susana High School with Certification in Dance with honors, triple lettered, and was also named Outstanding senior in the dance program. After Graduating she was fortunate enough to be able to pursue her dreams as a professional dancer and move to LA. Where she assisted well known choreographers such as Jojo Gomez, Andre Fuentes, Shirlene Quigley, and Jersey Maniscalco. As well as worked on a national wide commercial for Toyota; ADs for forever 21, HomeGoods, and Wet N wild/ Walmart ; and several Live performances and events including performing at the dolby theatre in Los Angeles. Caitlin has done work for TV shows such as "City on Fire" on Apple TV. Caitlin has taught on the KAR Convention as well as on the Royal Caribbean Bahama cruise ship “ Empire Dance Experience”. She has also choreographed all over the the US. Caitlin is now located in NYC, Teaching, dancing, and inspiring the next generation of dancers!

  • VINCENT SYLVESTER BEGAN HIS TRAINING IN YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO AT A VERY YOUNG AGE. HE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AND TOP SCORES WHILE ON DANCE-COMPETITIVE TEAMS IN MANY GENRES.

    HE HAS BEEN EMPLOYED AS A PRINCIPAL DANCER FOR NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES & ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINES SAILING IN BERMUDA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA. GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT AT ALL FOUR THEME PARKS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA. TOURED AS A PRINCIPAL DANCER WITH SESAME STREET LIVE THROUGHOUT THE U.S.

    MR. SYLVESTER ACQUIRED EXPERIENCE INSTRUCTING DANCE WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES WITH CHILDREN AND ADULTS OF ALL AGES. HE HAS ALSO TRAVELED AND JUDGED IN NUMEROUS COMPETITIONS BEING EXPOSED TO MANY STYLES OF DANCE WITH ELITE STUDIOS ACROSS THE NATION. VINCENT TRAVELS TO STUDIOS ACROSS THE U.S. TEACHING MASTER CLASSES AND SETTING CHOREOGRAPHY PIECES FOR DANCERS OF ALL AGES. VINCENT HAS HAD THE PLEASURE OF INSTRUCTING MASTER CLASSES ASSISTED BY JOJO SIWA AND LIFETIME REALITY CAST MEMBER SARAH GEORGIANA.

    VINCENT IS SO GRATEFUL AND EXCITED TO BRING ALL OF HIS CREATIVITY AND PASSION WORKING IN THE STUDIO SETTING AND WAS ALSO NOMINATED FOR “CHOREOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR” FOR HIS CHOREOGRAPHY FOR “NEWSIES” AT COLUMBUS CHILDREN’S THEATRE.