Judges

LaVonna Duncan was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands and raised in sunny Florida. She competed for over 10 years as an elite dancer before studying Dance Performance and Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Florida, earning both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. LaVonna’s professional credits include dancer for DreamWorks Madagascar LIVE, International tour of “Vegas The Show!”, dancer/ trainer at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, swing in Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Broadway Musical) and Burn The Floor, company member of Dallas Black Dance Theatre II, production dancer aboard Holland America Line, and much more. Most recently, LaVonna has spent the last few years organizing, facilitating and scouting at live auditions domestically, and in Canada, London, South America, New Zealand and throughout Australia for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings- Shows and Experiences as a Theatrical Casting Specialist. In addition, she has worked alongside many college dance departments and companies as a panelist, project based consultant, master instructor, Award-winning choreographer and competition adjudicator. LaVonna currently owns and operates a dance studio and loves sharing her passion for dance with others. She is honored to be a judge at Nexstar National Talent Competition!

Nicole is a professional dancer based out of New York City where she most recently finished her first season as a Radio City Rockette. She started dancing at the age of 2 and began competitive dancing at the age of 4 with her dance studio in Warren, Ohio. Nicole has trained extensively in all genres of dance throughout her career. At the age of 19, Nicole began her professional career dancing for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. She then became a member of Step One Dance Company with RWS Entertainment Group in New York City for two years dancing for Holland America Cruise Line. Nicole has also performed in shows at the Orb Theatre in Tokyo, Japan as well as the OLG Theatre in Niagara Falls. While in New York, Nicole performs for multiple different production companies performing around the city, and while at home Nicole loves to continue teaching dance. Nicole is so excited to watch you dance today!

Ted is thrilled to be back at Nexstar for the 2025 season!

Originally from Pennsylvania, he 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 (IAMT) and Broadway Dance Center in New York City, is a proud member of Actors Equity Association, and holds certifications as both a personal trainer (NASM) and Pilates mat instructor (Power Pilates). He is also a proud graduate of the two-year Meisner program at the William Esper Studio.

He loves sharing his knowledge of technique and body mechanics with dancers of all styles to help them have safe and successful careers!