Judges

Makayla Wade from Panama City, FL began dancing at the age of two and has been performing since! Makayla danced competitively and was awarded many regional and national awards. Following high school, Makayla decided to further her education by attending Troy University where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and graduated Cum Laude in 2021. She was awarded Troy University’s Theatre and Dance “Outstanding Freshman” Award, studied abroad in Pietrasanta, Italy with world renowned faculty at The DAP Festival of Pietrasanta! In 2019, Makayla performed with Rosie Simas Danse Company in the piece “Weave” at the Alabama Dance Festival. She began to find a love for choreography and in the fall of 2019 she choreographed in Troy University’s Fall Dance Concert “The Fallen” and in 2021 “BLOOD”. Following graduation she performed with Cedar Point Live Entertainment in “Pep Rally”, “150th Night Show Celebration and Parade” and “The Shrieks” where she worked with Marilyn Magness, Alexis Robberts, Josh Assor and Phillip Vitug. In January of 2021 she worked with Virgin Voyages where she performed and dance captained many shows onboard including “Untitled Dance Party Show Thing”, “Ships in the Night” and inaugural cast of “Its a Ship Show”. She performed works created by Ani Taj, Sam Pinkleton, House of Yes, Jenny Gersten, 7Fingers and more! Between contracts, Makayla teaches master classes and choreographs across the south region. Her choreography has won many regional and national awards including “Best Choreography” in open and contemporary category. Makayla hopes to continue perform and inspire 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