Virtual Critiques

Allen began dancing at age 9. Throughout his training he has assisted such greats as Jason Parsons, Dee Caspary, Dennis Caspary, and Mia Michaels. He has appeared in national commercials such as ( Macys, Kmart, Joe Boxer) and industrials since the age of 15 and also was asked to appear on the tv show Star Search. Allen has assisted choreographers for the hit FOX tv show “So You Think You Can Dance”.  At the age of 18 he began teaching on numerous dance conventions and for national talent competitions all over America. He has also been asked to choreograph opening numbers for benefits and charities across the country including The Woman's Cancer Research Foundation and DRA (dancers responding to aids).  Allen performed in Bryant Park in New York City with the Jason Parsons Project at the young age of 15. Allen was also brought on as a principle dancer with Odyssey Dance Theatre where he traveled the world and also had the the opportunity to perform at the Jazz world congress. His creative vision and excellence has been described as moving and inspirational.   His ability to bring out passion in young dancers nationwide has created high demand for his gift of teaching.  Since Allen moved back to the east coast he has continued to be one of the most sought out teachers and choreographers across the country. 

Born in Minnesota, Wendy Lyons is a passionate choreographer, teacher, and former studio owner with extensive training in tap, ballet, jazz, and lyrical — with especially strong roots in tap. She is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and inspiring the next generation of dancers through both technical excellence and artistry. Wendy is incredibly proud of her children, who are currently performing in the industry, and she celebrates their hard work and dedication. She is excited to continue mentoring young artists and is thrilled to be here judging and supporting dancers.

I am the former owner/director/instructor of Northland School of Dance (NSOD) in Champlin MN. I’m presently retired after 49 years of dance and owning my own studio. While in ownership of NSOD our students won many awards for individual, group and overall studio awards. Many of our students have gone on to dance professionally all over the world, with several having a carrier teaching dance. NSOD was chosen to perform at three different Olympic events; Australia, China and London as well as an annual ballet festival in Austria, which includes Germany and Italy. I was one of the founders of MODMAC competition for ten years. I believe in guiding students to reach for their goal, while having fun. I am to have the opportunity to judge at several dance competitions. Dance has brought great joy to my life and I look forward to sharing that joy with others.

Based out of the Twin Cities, Laura brings over 30 years of dance experience to the judging panel. Growing up competitively, as well as a member of her High School Dance Team, Laura has trained in genres such as: ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and pom. While holding many national titles, she continues her education by attending conventions and dance teacher seminars. Currently an instructor at two local studios, she prides herself on technical excellence while having fun! Her students are recognized for their artistry and quality of movement. Laura also works for the industry leading costume company, Kellé. You can find her traveling nationally to UDMA trade shows, as well as assisting with models and photoshoots.

Carlos de Barros received his BFA in Dance from the University of Florida/New World School of the Arts (NWSA) collaborative dance program. He supplemented his training after college by attending annual workshops and classes around the country such as The Pulse Convention, The Jazz Dance World Congress, and at NY City's Broadway Dance Center. Since 2012, he has completed fitness certifications in Zumba and Piyo (Pilates/yoga fusion), two children's yoga (KAY) certification courses, two supplemental anatomy courses, his 200 hour yoga teacher training, his CPR certification, and he is currently working on both becoming a certified personal trainer through ISSA and completing his 300 Advanced Yoga Teacher Training online. As a professional dancer, he danced with Miami’s American Dance Theatre, Freddick Bratcher and Company, The Palm Beach Festival Ballet and The Demetrius Klein Dance Company. He was a guest dancer in an independent music video called Arizona Skies choreographed by independent choreographer and mentor Gina Buntz. Buntz has taught and been the director at many established dance education institutions across the country including New World School of the Arts, Dreyfoos School of the Arts and Los Angeles County HS of the Arts. Carlos was invited and attended a two week college recruitment trip to Taiwan with The New World Dance ensemble. He performed with A Dancer’s Space at The Duncan Theater for The American Dance Legacy Initiative’s “Parson’s Etudes". He has been a guest performer for many schools around Palm Beach County, and commercially, he was an extra in a Netflix series called The Baker & The Beauty and he was chosen as the lead male dancer in a car commercial for Healey dealership in upstate New York. Carlos was a full time faculty mainstay and taught all levels of dance, repertory, and choreography classes at Bak Middle School of the Arts for 15 years in Palm Beach County. In addition to his tenure at Bak, he has continued to teach for private and public schools around the country such as The Grier School, NWSA, The Harid Conservatory, The Windemere Preparatory School, FAC of Greenville, and The Miami City Ballet. He was a guest choreographer at Palm Beach Atlantic University's dance ensemble for three semesters. He has been a guest contemporary modern and yoga teacher at Dance With Utica in NY. He was a guest jazz and modern teacher five times at the annual Ft. Myers All County Dance Festival. In 2019, he completed a 4-day teaching and choreography residency at Cypress Lakes High in Ft. Myers. He also did a 5-day teaching and choreography residency in South Carolina (2019 and 2022) at The Fine Arts Center of Greenville. His guest contemporary modern piece, Unalome 2.0, was chosen and premiered at The National High School Dance Festival gala in early 2023. Carlos has taught all levels of ballet, jazz, jazz funk, modern, contemporary, acro, conditioning, and yoga at summer intensives all around FL. He has also taught master classes and/or adjudicated for Regionals and Nationals around the country for many different competitions such as StarQuest, Star Power, Dance Team Union, American Dance Alliance, Starz, Showbiz, The FL Dance Educators Org, and many other local and FL state competitions. From 2013-2017, Carlos accepted new positions to start and direct the full-time dance and yoga programs at a couple of different private schools where he started working with all grades K-12. In August of 2014, he was chosen to participate in a National dance modeling photo shoot for SoDanca’s clothing line that was released in three major dance magazines, he modeled and assisted for Hashtag for my Dance Swag’s Orlando photo shoot, and he modeled for Alex Lanau’s yoga clothing line. He is now a free-lance dance and yoga teacher, dance conditioning coach, choreographer, model, dance competition judge and show director. Carlos brings a fusion of his dance education, passion and performance experience in the art of dance along side his pedagogy style, fitness background, and past judging experience to give fair and concise feedback that will help dancers grow and develop their skills and artistry as a soloist and within a group. He’s excited to be a part of the Starz family again this year as a judge!

Jess Wubben is an energetic dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist with 27 years of training and performance experience rooted in both competitive and theatrical worlds. Beginning her journey at age 4 at Dancers Unlimited in Blue Earth, MN, Jess developed a love of dance that carried her through high school and into advanced collegiate training at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she earned her degree in dance and theatre. At MSU, she trained under a diverse team of professionally trained directors and choreographers including Melissa Rosenberger, Ruben Del Valle, Paul Hustoles, Nicholas Wayne, Daniel Stark, and Julie Kerr-Berry. Her collegiate years immersed her in every facet of production which included performing in dance concerts and musicals such as Ragtime and Bye Bye Birdie, while also working in lighting, wardrobe, and backstage crews. Following graduation, Jess transitioned into professional choreography, staging works for productions including Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Shrek The Musical, Fly By Night, Camelot, Newsies, and Beauty and the Beast. As a performer, she also appeared in Shrek The Musical as Humpty Dumpty, a Duloc Dancer, and a Rat Tapper. Alongside choreography, she spent seven years as a dedicated instructor at Dancers Unlimited, mentoring young performers both technically and artistically. Jess has trained through Dance Olympus and DanZa workshops, working with top industry choreographers such as Sarah Jo Fazio, Angie Sellers, Mario Velez Jr., Nikki Prichard, Danny Valle, Michelle Fortner, Jaclyn Walsh, and Daniel and Jen Walker. Her commercial training includes time spent at Broadway Dance Center in New York City studying hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, tap, and technique under artists such as Jaclyn Walsh, Chio, Billy Griffin, and Derek Mitchell. She also has had training in Los Angeles at Playground LA with Kenny Wormald, Marissa Heart, and Dexter Carr. Jess has been featured twice as a dancer on Live with Kelly and Ryan and on Live with Kelly and Mark. She has performed as an emcee, dancer, singer, and actor at Valleyfair Amusement Park (MN), Carowinds Amusement Park (NC/SC), and Six Flags Over Texas. Driven by the belief that dance is the highest form of emotional communication and connection, Jess is passionate about storytelling through movement. This empowers dancers to not only move, but to speak through their bodies. Along with that, words of inspiration that were spoken during one of her classes that she always carries with her are, “Everyday we communicate with each other. When emotions get high, we sing. When emotions get so high that we can’t contain them, we dance.” Therefore, Jess “hopes you dance!”

Originally from Oklahoma, Lindsey Walla has studied and performed dance for the past 28 years. Performing with companies across the US such as The Walt Disney Company, Universal Studios, SeaWorld Parks, and The Joffrey Ballet School. Lindsey truly enjoys to entertain and educate others through dance. From 2 years to 18 years, Lindsey trained at the Range Of Motion Dance Studio under the direction of CeCe Farha, the Head Children’s Ballet Mistress at the Washington Ballet. Lindsey decided upon a rigorous pre-professional study track where she trained in dance daily at school, an after school company, as well as at her home studio. While attending Classen School of Advanced Studies, a highly revered specialty arts and international baccalaureate school, Lindsey studied under Danni Kelly, a former Soloist for the Tulsa Ballet, and Nancy Trait-Lira, a professor of Laban-Bartenieff Movement Analysis. She later attended the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. She also studied at The Oklahoma City Ballet, Larkin Dance Studio, and the Rhythmic Circus’ pre-professional tap troupe the Elite Tap Feet. Lindsey has trained in a wide range of styles including: Ballet, Tap, Pointe, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Classical Folk/Character, Composition, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Classical Indian, Body Percussion, West African, Yoga, Flamenco, Pilates, Samba, Animation, Stage Combat, as well as basic Gymnastics/tumbling and Cheer. Lindsey has taught and choreographed for the past 16 years and has also appeared in multiple promotional commercial performances, print work, ads, newspapers/magazines across the US. Lindsey looks forward to sharing her experiences with every dancer!

"Meghan is an Atlanta-based commercial dancer and the Captain of the Atlanta Hawks ATL Dancers, where she also works full time in the Entertainment Department. She danced for the LSU Tiger Girls and the University of Memphis Pom Squad, and is a former UDA instructor and judge. Meghan has performed with artists such as Mariah the Scientist, Jacquees, Rotimi, David Banner, Lakeyah, CeeLo Green, YFN Lucci, and Keri Hilson. Her film work includes the upcoming movie Madden starring Nicolas Cage and Christian Bale, as well as Praise This. Meghan teaches across Atlanta, specializing in hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and acrobatics, and is excited to be returning to STARZ for another season."

Bob Woodard is the Owner and Artistic Director of Artistry In Motion in Paso Robles, California. With a foundation rooted in classical training from the Oakland Ballet and further education at Cal Poly and Pat Jackson’s American Dance, Bob’s dynamic career spans over 26 years in Los Angeles and New York City. He has danced and choreographed for top-tier television and stage productions, collaborating with icons such as Ellen DeGeneres, Celine Dion, Janet Jackson, Andy Williams, Barry Manilow, and Gloria Estefan. His commercial choreography credits include national campaigns for Mervyn’s, Century 21, KFC, 7UP, and Lexus. Bob’s versatility extends to Broadway, where he served as a personal dance coach for the cast of Grease with Tommy Tune, and to the pageant world, choreographing for the Miss USA, Miss Teen America, and Miss Universe pageants for five years. Today, he continues to shape the next generation of performers across the country, coaching pageant contestants and dance students alike. Known nationally for his awardwinning work in Ballet, Heels, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, and Contemporary, Bob Woodard brings both technical excellence and artistic innovation to every stage he touches.

Erick Nathan is a multi-talented actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, and music producer based in Atlanta, Georgia. He is best known for his appearances on Nickelodeon's Victorious and iCarly, as well as his work on Descendants: The Rise of Red, Genius: Aretha, Love, Simon, Honey: Rise Up and Dance, Step Up: Highwater, and HBO Max's Doom Patrol. A seasoned performer, Nathan has over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry, spanning television, film, music, and live events. Originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Nathan moved to Los Angeles after high school, quickly booking performances with legends such as Stevie Wonder and Joss Stone during An Evening with the Stars: Tribute to Smokey Robinson. He later became a finalist on Lifetime's Your Mama Don't Dance, earning a feature in People magazine. He also appeared in comedy sketches on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and starred in campaigns for Nintendo Wii's Just Dance 2 & 3. Nathan was a member of the LA-based boy band Skyline, which opened for artists like El DeBarge and Babyface and headlined Disney's Grad Night at Disneyland. After relocating to Atlanta in 2012, he continued choreographing and teaching master classes across the U.S. and abroad. He has twice choreographed for Team USA at the World Dance Championships, earning two titles, and is a former NBA dancer for the Atlanta Hawks. As a music artist and producer, Nathan founded DJerock Productions, through which he DJs and produces live shows, halftime performances, and studio tracks for clients across the sports and entertainment industries. His solo music career includes performances opening for artists like Fetty Wap, AJR, Daya, and Aaron Carter, as well as the release of his debut EP Ready or Not in 2015. His viral mashups and covers, including collaborations with Amanda Hale, have gained wide recognition on TikTok and YouTube. Nathan continues to work in film, television, live performance, and music, balancing his creative endeavors with frequent appearances as a celebrity judge, host, and educator in the dance and performing arts community. Follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @officialericknathan and @ErickNathanMusic.

Jennifer Reed is an accomplished dance instructor, cheer coach, and choreographer based in Sebring, Florida. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Jennifer moved to central Florida at the age of five, where she began her dance journey. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary dance, finding her escape in the art form while growing up in a small town. Jennifer's professional career includes performing as a dancer for the Walt Disney World Company at the Magic Kingdom and MGM Studios. She also earned the title of Miss 12 Hours of Sebring International Raceway Queen in 1993. Her modeling and acting portfolio is extensive, featuring work for businesses like Hobe Sound Polo Club, Boar's Head ,Braman BMW, Mosaic, Walt Disney World Company, Florida Hospital, and Nutri-Systems. She has appeared in the TV series “I’m Alive” and an episode of “Dr. G Medical Examiner,” and hosted the International Home Builders Show. In the realm of theater, Jennifer has made her mark as a dancer and actress in community productions of "Chicago" (Velma Kelly), "Beauty and the Beast" (Silly Girl), "Jesus Christ Superstar" (Soul Girl), and "Cabaret" (Kit Kat Girl). She has won Zenon awards for her choreography in "The Addams Family" and “Cabaret." As a coach, Jennifer led the varsity cheerleading team at Sebring High School to two state titles and consistently placed in the top ten nationally during her tenure. She has judged national cheerleading and dance competitions for Spirit Cheer and Dance. Jennifer Reed is the former owner and operator of Dance Unlimited of Central Florida, the studio where she once trained. She is passionate about sharing her expertise with young performers, helping them discover their potential and love for dance. Outside of her professional life, Jennifer is married to her husband Cale and they have two children Evan and Carly. She also enjoys caring for her five cows and three pups.

From the stages of Tokyo Disney to the sets of Netflix, Kyle Kahn has defined himself as a premier force in the global dance industry. A Louisiana native who began his professional journey at 16 as an Assistant Choreographer for Six Flags, Kyle’s career spans iconic productions including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Barry Manilow’s Ultimate, Hairspray on Broadway and principal roles at Disney Orlando, Las Vegas residences, and major cruise lines. Most recently, Kyle has taken his expertise to the screen as the Professional Ballet Coach & Trainer to Millie Bobby Brown. His extensive film and TV credits include Step Up Revolution, Bring It On 4, Dance Moms, and performances with Rihanna and Kelly Clarkson. As a versatile creative, he has choreographed for BET, RuPaul’s Drag Race, the MGM Grand and many Capitol Records music videos. An entrepreneur at heart, Kyle owns three successful companies, including Kyle Kahn Studios Dance Excellence, and holds a Masters from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. A "Top 40 Under 40" honoree and Marquis Who’s Who 2025 inductee, Kyle is a proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA, and AGVA.

HEIDI KULAS has grown up dancing with three generations of her family from Greenville, Michigan. She achieved national recognition competing, performing, touring, judging and teaching Clogging, Irish Step Dance, Rhythm Tap, Line dancing and other traditional and contemporary forms of percussive dance. She toured extensively with FOOTWORKS Percussive Dance Ensemble as a Principal Dancer and Co-Choreographer and as a Guest Dancer with many professional and GRAMMY winning recording artists including Nickel Creek, Lunasa, Balsam Range, Uncle Earl and Eileen Ivers to name a few. She holds a B.A. in Theatrical Arts from Mars Hill University in North Carolina where she served as the Dance Captain and a Choreographer for the National Champions the Bailey Mountain Cloggers. She’s a proud member of the prestigious All-American clogging team. Heidi was a featured soloist, dance captain and entertainer in several shows with the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Company and World Choice Investments (a Dolly Parton Company) in Pigeon Forge, TN including The Comedy Barn, the Smoky Mountain Opry and Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud. She is a certified NASM personal trainer, nutrition coach, and Yoga Alliance 200 RYT. She’s excited to be using her diverse dance and entertainment background to be able to share unique insights with the dancers as an adjudicator for both regional and national dance competitions throughout the USA. Heidi loves teaching line dance and yoga classes in her community and surrounding areas. She is a proud cast member of Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales in Gatlinburg, TN. Heidi is also currently touring as both a dancer and dance caller for the Darren Nicholson Band at events and festivals across the country.

Ivee Lopez is an award-winning choreographer, creave director, and co-owner of Fuego Dance Co in the Tampa Bay area in Florida. With over 30 years of dance experience, she specializes in Lan Fusion, Jazz Funk, Musical Theatre, Hip-Hop and everything in between. Her choreography has been recognized across Florida with numerous tles, top awards, and industry accolades. A lifelong performer, Ivee began her compeve dance career in Indianapolis, IN, where she trained extensively in dance, theatre, and vocal performance for more than a decade. She earned mulple scholarships, including a presgious summer intensive in Los Angeles, where she trained with legendary choreographers such as Travis Payne, Vince Paterson, Brian Friedman, and many more. Aer relocang to Florida, Ivee performed for the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando and became a member of CoMoon Dance Company at St. Petersburg College, deepening her skills in Modern and Contemporary dance. She went on to perform professionally through 2016. A pivong moment from dancer to choreographer was when Ivee was selected to showcase at ShowStoppers Miami, debung her work alongside some of today’s most notable choreographers in the Lan music industry. Her creave direcon spans a wide range of projects, from conceptual dance lms, music videos for up-and-coming arsts, to large-scale producons like The Unstylish Virtual Fashion Show—the rst of its kind in Florida. Ivee’s passion for dance educaon has taken her naonwide, judging and teaching at convenons and masterclasses, specically spreading knowledge of Lan Fusion and other innovave fusion styles. Whether on stage, on set, or in the studio, Ivee Lopez is always creang—pushing the boundaries of arstry and performance.

Alyssa started her dance career in Minnesota, where she studied and competed in various styles of dance. Alyssa eventually moved to NYC, where she graduated magna cum laude from Marymount Manhattan College in NYC, receiving a BFA in dance and a minor in business management. During her time in the dance program at Marymount, she had the honor of performing works choreographed by Al Blackstone, Alexandra Damiani, Jae Man Joo, Keigwin + Company, and many more. She toured with New York City Dance Alliance (NYCDA) as a dance assistant, judge, and teacher for many years, and taught at Steps on Broadway in NYC. She has also performed in off-Broadway shows, appeared in music videos, and performed with Disney. Currently, she travels around the world as a dancer with Step One Dance Company onboard Holland America Line cruise ships. When she is not performing or traveling, she enjoys teaching and choreographing and is passionate about working with young dancers around the country.

Marlayna Locklear is a dynamic dance artist and educator originally from Milwaukee, WI. She began her training at City Ballet Theatre and earned her BFA in Ballet and Jazz from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. As one of the founding members of The Milwaukee Dance Connection, Marlayna has performed with renowned companies including Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Dallas Black Dance Theatre II, Owen Cox Dance Group, and the San Francisco Opera. Known for her versatility and depth, she has performed works by world-class choreographers such as Donald McKayle, Christopher Huggins, Dwight Rhoden, and Ronald K. Brown, and has taught at prestigious institutions including Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet. Currently, Marlayna teaches at Montclair State University and is on faculty at East Carolina University. She is completing her MFA in Choreography and Performance. In addition to teaching, she freelances as a choreographer, adjudicator, and guest artist—regularly judging competitions and teaching at festivals such as the International Association for Blacks in Dance (IABD) and the American College Dance Association (ACDA). She continues to perform professionally with Owen Cox Dance Group.