Judges

Lynn Gillinger began her dance training at the age of 3 in Fort Worth, TX. Through the years
she trained in tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical/contemporary, modern, clogging, hip hop, and acro.
She has performed in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand, Disney World, Nashville, TN, Dallas
Cowboys Halftime Shows, Carnival Cruise Lines, and New York City to name a few. She
was a member of Mosaic Dance Project, Collective Force Dance Company, and Slightly Off
Tap Company for several years performing locally and nationally. She has been a dance
educator for over 20 years and that is where her true passion is. Her dances have received
many choreography awards, special judges awards, and high point awards at regional and
national competitions. She has continued learning and training throughout the years and
studied with many master educators across the U.S. and is constantly staying up to date
with the current dance styles. She recently received her acro certification through
Acrobatic Arts and has recently found a new love and understanding for Acro. This past
season Lynn was named Choreographer of the year at her studio home, Frances Lea
Dance Center. Lynn enjoys passing on her passion for dance to the next generation of dancers.

She graduated from George Mason University with a degree in dance. She has worked as a
teacher and director for over 30 years for one of the top competition studios in Northern
Virginia. Currently she resides in Washington state and has continued to teach at a studio in
Western Washington. She specializes in Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Acro and contemporary for all ages.
She has been a judge with Nexstar since 2018. She has also taught and competed ballroom for
Arthur Murray. She received her certificate as a Certified Personal Training through NASM and
is currently certified by Acrobatic Arts. She has two beautiful daughters that grew up in the
studio dancing and competing through their senior year in high school. The oldest graduated
from Towson University majoring in Dance and Psychology and has since received her doctorate
in physical therapy at Shenandoah University . The youngest received her associates degree
from Everett College in Washington State. Margaret is a proud Mimi to her 4 beautiful
grandchildren.

Raven grew up the daughter of a successful dance studio owner in Michigan and was at
her first recital at one day old. She trained in the subjects of ballet, jazz, tap,
lyrical/contemporary, musical theater, hip hop, acrobatics/gymnastics, and
Hawaiian/Tahitian for many years as a student, and was a member of the regional and
national award winning team at Encore Dance Academy for 14 years. As a student, she
had the privilege of performing in Dracula and The Nutcracker with various ballet
companies, including the Moscow Ballet Company. She also had the pleasure of
performing in numerous festivals, benefits, and at Walt Disney World. Raven has spent
the last 17 years teaching and choreographing for many dance studios across the country
(ages 18 months- adults), and has received numerous regional and national
choreography awards in the subjects of contemporary, lyrical, jazz, hip hop, and tap.
Her students have won countless scholarships, titles, and overalls, and many can be
seen assisting on the convention circuit as well as working professionally. Raven is
certified through the Youth Protection Association for Dance (YPAD), and dedicates
herself to building the confidence of each young dancer she works with. She strives to
set students up with the skills to thrive whether in dance or any other goals they pursue.
While teaching dance, Raven has received a B.S. in Biology and a B.S. in Nursing.
However, as much as she loves science and working in the ER, dance will always be her
greatest passion