THE JUDGES
FERNANDO
Teacher, Choreographer, and Adjudicator, Fernando Naranjo, has extensive experience teaching classes and workshops at numerous schools and studios / competitions / conventions around the US. His broad, rich and varied dance training affords him expertise as an instructor in Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theater, and Latin Dance. Choreography credits include setting pieces on a variety of studios and schools to “Hip Hip Chin Chin”, “The Tornado”, “Surfin”, “Black & Gold” and “Love In The Dark” as well as creating a tribute to Celia Cruz. Co-Owner of The Power Of Three Training Intensive, A well rounded dancer, his performing credits include company membership in The Showbiz Dancers, performing on the stage of The Kennedy Center as well as a wide variety of other venues. He has worked with and trained under such dance luminaries as Shawn Cosby, Derrick Evans, Bonnie Slawson, and Julio Agustin
RACHEL
When she needs to get somewhere, Rachel doesn’t walk there; she dances. You may even catch her tap dancing down grocery store aisleways. Rachel is a dance educator, choreographer, and dancer from Ohio who has been dancing since the age of three. Her passion followed her to the University of Cincinnati where she attended musical theatre classes at the UC College Conservatory of Music and was a member of the UC Dance Team. She is trained in numerous styles of dance including jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, musical theatre, modern, contemporary, and more.
Following college, Rachel danced and choreographed for several professional dance teams in the midwest, including the MLL Ohio Dance Machine. She has choreographed for over 20 years, and in that time, achieved numerous choreography awards and created multiple award-winning routines at regional, national, and world competitions.
Rachel taught in the education sector at performing arts academies and has a State of Ohio Department of Education 5 Year Professional Designated Subject (Dance K-12) License. Along with her extensive dance education, she is a certified member of Dance Masters of America Chapter 16, having tested in ballet and tap. She continues to share her love of dance as she performs with New Vision Dance Company and adjudicates at dance competitions throughout the midwest and east coast.
What she loves most about dance is using her experience to connect, educate, and inspire the next generation.
In addition to dancing, Rachel enjoys acting, and her credits include commercials and movies such as “The Last Summer” (2019), “Cherry” (2021), and “Sweet Girl” (2022). She has was formerly crowned Miss London Ohio USA and Mrs. Columbus Ohio and is currently the reigning Mrs. Buckeye State Captivating titleholder.
RASHAWN
Aspire is thrilled to have Shawn back on our panel. His Tap expertise is second to none and he brings a special energy to each category he judges that is unmatched.
MICHELLE
Michelle studied with Barbara Sandanato who was trained by George Balanchine; Judith Jamison, former lead dancer of the Alvin Ailey Company and Milton Myers who was also a lead dancer at Ailey and now serves as head of the Contemporary Division of the world famous Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Michelle began her professional career during her junior year when she started dancing for Group Motion. Michelle studied pedagogy techniques at The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet and later became a master instructor. In 2004 she was chosen to be the first American instructor invited to the International Dance Festival in Ladek Zdroj, Poland where she teaches more than any other instructor. She has been asked to teach at various festivals throughout Europe. Michelle continues to direct Melange, the Pottstown Dance Theatre, and assistant direct Contempradance; and her students were invited by the American Alliance of Performing Arts Educators to perform in London during the 2012 Olympic Games where a representative of the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (founded and partially funded by Sir Paul McCartney) saw her work and requested her instruction for summer of 2013. Michelle also recently completed Pedagogy training at the Martha Graham School in NYC and continues to train as an instructor there.
BRYAN
Bryan Jeffrey (SINGER, DANCER, ACTOR) is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has received training from the Girard Academic Music Program (music/voice/theory/theatre), University of the Arts (dance/theatre/voice), Morgan State University(voice/theatre), Pennsylvania Ballet, Point Breeze Performing Arts(piano/hip hop), Alvin Ailey Intensive Program, Kimmel Center of the Arts(voice/dance). From this training he has secured many roles and performances such as: Scarecrow (The Wiz), Angel (Rent), Zodzetrick (Treemonisha), Lionel (It’s a Wonderful Life), Little Moe (Five Guys Named Moe), Junior Babcock (Mame) Elijah (Elijah), Smokey Joes Café, Wayne/Lil Albert/Tiny Joe (Dreamgirls), Joesph (Black Nativity), Hairspray, Mary Sunshine (Chicago), James Thundery Early-Dreamgirls(Helen Hayes Award Nominated for Oustanding Supporting Actor in a Musical), Ain’t Misbehavin, and Edward Bloom-Big Fish, Daddy Brubeck-Sweet Charity, Gator-Memphis, Phil Davis-White Christmas, Man In The Yellow Suit-Tuck Everlasting, to name a few. Bryan was a Company/Staff member of a primarily Black Performing Arts company called ArtsCentric for about 12 years and about 3 of those years that same company was/is an official 501c3 Non-profit. Bryan has done many other theatre including, Tobys of Columbia, Walnut Street theatre, Kinmel Center, Academy of music, Carnegie Hall, Apollo, Meyerhof, Lyric, Mann Music Center, Strathmore, and more. Bryan dedicates his work/pieces/performances to his mom, Dr. Dolores L. Daniels, His siblings, Brandon, Anthony, Shanice, and Marquise, Uncles, Andre & Tracy, Cousins (too many to name), His mentors, Vincent Stringer/Charles Hayes/former broadway performer/teacher, the late Kenneth Kamal Scott/, and lastly a special Dedication to his late Father, Jeffrey Daniels. Bryan would like to send a special message to all those who dream of doing what they love:
"There is never enough time; so make use and make the best of the time that you have. Living is so much greater than existing. With existing, the world knows you are or were there. But with living, you leave an unforgettable mark. Be Legendary!! 1Love!" --Bryan Jeffrey
DANI
Dani is a NYC based dancer, singer, choreographer and educator. Born and raised in Toms River NJ she was a true competition kid and was a member of a Nationally award-winning team (SUDS/FCDA) including several first-place finishes in Vocal. Dani made her Broadway 1st National Tour debut in CATS as Jennyanydots. She made her NYC Debut with NYCO at Lincoln Center in Candide directed by the illustrious Hal Prince and has gone on to perform in several other shows with the company (dance captain) including the recent world premiere of The Garden of the Fitzi-Continis. Regionally, she spent a year with RCCL in Mamma Mia (Ali/Sophie cover) and has worked with PCLO (Legally Blonde and Singin in the Rain), Goodspeed (The Theory of Relativity-Staged Reading/Jenny), New Bedford Festival Theatre, Reagle Music Theatre and Surflight and was thrilled to sing and dance in a tribute to Gershwin with The Boston Symphony Orchestra. This past winter she added puppetry to her repertoire and performed with the Lightwire Theatre Co (from AGT) in their Christmas Tour across the Midwest. Dani is a graduate of The Boston Conservatory and holds a BFA in Musical Theatre with a concentration in Dance. She is represented by Clear Talent Group in NYC, is a proud member of Actors Equity and is very excited to be a part of the Aspire Performing Arts & Dance Challenge team and help nurture the next generation of performers.
LINDSAY
Lindsay began dancing at the age of three in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As an award-winning dancer and choreographer, she quickly discovered her passion for sharing her love of the arts with others. Trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, tap, contemporary, and hip hop, Lindsay is an accomplished performer winning numerous titles, scholarships, and top awards including Superstar Grande Champion and Ambassador at the Ms. Hemisphere National Competition in Atlantic City, NJ and was invited to participate in the International Youth Dance Prix in Guam. Her professional performances include theWalnut Street Theater, Walt Disney World, Spirit of Philadelphia Cruise line and more. Since beginning her career in teaching, Lindsay’s students have won various regional and national titles and awards. She is the proud recipient of numerous Choreography Awards and her soloists have been recognized with various scholarships and Technical Excellence Awards. Under her direction, Lindsay’s students have gone on to receive scholarships and be accepted at top performing arts schools such as The Joffrey Ballet, University of the Arts, PACE University, Elon University, and Point Park University. Along with her sister, Lindsay is the co-owner and director of Bravo Dance Center in Warwick, PA. By teaching technique and focus, Lindsay’s goal is to awaken passion in her students while still allowing creative expression. She believes in the words of Martha Graham and strives to instill in her students – “Great dancers are not great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion.” Lindsay is so excited to be a part of the Aspire Performing Arts & Dance Challenge team and is looking forward to seeing the amazing talent on stage!
GABRIELLE
Gabrielle has been a dancer for 22 years, using her training to compete, perform, teach, and choreograph. She studied everything she could including ballet, tap, and musical theatre. She studied and competed at various schools including Janice’s Danceworks, Broadway Bound Dance Academy, and the International Ballet Classique. She is currently working as a dance teacher and choreographer. Gabrielle specializes in musical theatre, Fosse, jazz, and tap. Gabrielle’s major dance influences are Isadora Duncan, Bob Fosse, and Susan Stroman. She loves to encourage her students to make big choices and and to work on their own choreography.
JOHN
APADC is beyond thrilled to welcome John to our judging staff! John is a multi faceted dancer with extensive adjudicating and dance experience. With backgrounds in all areas of the performing arts, particularly in tap, musical theatre and vocal, we look forward to having him on our judging panel in January
JESSICA
Jessica is an award-winning choreographer who has taught and choreographed many styles of classical and contemporary dance, both privately and academically, for over two decades. Jessica danced professionally in the Philadelphia area for a number of years with Bina Kachine, Dance!. She was also the owner and artistic director of In Motion Dance Studio and In Motion Dance Company, with whom she won several awards for choreography at competitions in the Tri-State area. Currently she is on faculty and assistant company director at Bucks County School of Performing Arts, where she specializes in contemporary, modern, jazz, lyrical, ballet, and musical theatre styles.
Jessica has choreographed and directed over 60 theatrical productions in both academic and professional venues, at such places as Bucks County Playhouse, Resident Theatre Company, Steel River Playhouse, LaSalle University, Arcadia University, Bryn Athyn College, Broadway Theatre of Pitman, and T4Y Playmakers.
Jessica is currently on the faculty of Bryn Athyn College as an assistant professor of dance and theatre and the head of the performing arts program, where she has developed both a dance minor and major. She is the founder and artistic director of inFlux Dance Company & inFLux2, modern based companies in residence at Bryn Athyn College. Jessica has a BA in Education, an MA in Theatre Arts with an emphasis on dance, and a graduate certificate in Dance Education from the National Dance Education Organization. She is currently and MFA candidate in theatre at the University of Idaho. She is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Association.
ANDREA
Andrea has been dancing for over 20 years and has been sharing her talents as an educator for more than a decade. She is the co-owner/artistic director of the Bucks County School of Performing Arts in Doylestown, PA. She received her formal training at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia under mentor, Scott Jovovich and other excellent Faculty such as Zane Booker and Christine Cox (Ballet X). As a student of Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Modern, she has also worked with Princeton Dance & Theatre under the guidance of Susan Jaffe. She has performed throughout the Tri-State Area in landmark venues such as The Merriam and Painted Bride Theatres, and was a regular at the historic Bucks County Playhouse for several years. Among her numerous Regional Theatre Performances, some favorites include A Chorus Line, Cabaret, 42nd Street, The Wedding Singer, Footloose, Oklahoma!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar. As a choreographer, her work has earned her great praise from Main Stage Credits across New Jersey Regional Theatres and with other Performance Based Dance Programs in The Greater Philadelphia Area. Her work with the BCPA Dance Company has been the recipient of Technical Excellence, Choreography, Creativity, and Best Director Awards. Most recently, Miss Andrea led her team to many victories which included several nominations for the Industry Dance Awards.