Judges

Catherine Donadee was the Recreational Director at Studio 32 Dance Company, in Canfield, Ohio, where she also taught for 13 years. Before that, she began her teaching career at Center Stage Dance Studio. Catie began her dance training at an early age and has over 25 years of experience in the industry.  Trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Lyrical, Catie was a part of award-winning competition groups on the Regional, State, and National levels.  Catie has attended Dance Masters of America Teacher’s Training School where she had the privilege of studying under some of the industry’s greatest.  Ambitious to maintain a strong foundation, Catie continues to educate herself any chance she can. For over 15 years she choreographed routines on the competitive level and received numerous special judges’ awards along with being awarded for her choreography.  Her routines have been awarded on the Overall level both Regionally and Nationally, also qualifying and attending the World Dance Championship.  Sharing her love for dance and technique with her students is her passion, but watching them develop, explore, and express their own love for the art is an added bonus! Catie has recently branched out her love for dance and is in her second season as the head coach of the Austintown Fitch High School Danceline. She has choreographed multiple routines that the team performs during halftime of the Varsity home basketball games. When she is not coaching, Catie can be found at home with her family in Ohio.  Catie is very excited to be back judging for her eleventh season and wishes all the performers the best of luck this weekend. 

Hailing from the Washington, DC area, Geralyn Ward has dedicated over four decades to teaching dance. Her exceptional talent and commitment have earned her numerous awards for choreography, overall achievement, and high scores at regional, national, and world competitions.
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Geralyn’s passion for dance began as a competitive dance student. She pursued her love for the art by majoring in dance at the University of Georgia and George Mason University, where she also performed with their prestigious dance companies.
Geralyn’s students have gone on to achieve remarkable success—performing on Broadway, on cruise ships, in music videos, and as teachers, judges, and directors of esteemed dance competitions. She teaches all ages, from toddlers to adults, in a variety of dance styles.
In addition to teaching, Geralyn has served as a judge on the regional and national competition circuit for over 25 years. Recently, her students and choreography have been showcased in iconic venues like New York City and Walt Disney World.
Geralyn’s passion and dedication have not gone unnoticed; she was named Favorite Dance Instructor in Loudoun County, Virginia, by Loudoun Now for seven consecutive years (2018–2024). Her enduring love for dance and her students continues to inspire her work every day.

Growing up in Rhode Island, Kayla began her journey as a competitive dancer at age six, traveling across the country competing, taking conventions and master classes. She committed to the University of the Arts in 2011 under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield and immersed her training in Vaganova, Balanchine, Horton, Graham and Jazz. She had the privilege of working with a diverse range of renowned artists and choreographers such as Michael Sheridan, Kim Bears Bailey, and Sidra Bell. After graduating and exploring audition opportunities, she transitioned passions for movement into a fulfilling career in Pilates.