Judges

Originally from Illinois, Christy began her dance training at the age of three, training and competing with Excel Dance Productions. She later attended the University of Iowa, where she studied dance and earned a degree in Dance and Athletic Training, along with a certificate in Business.

While at Iowa, Christy launched her teaching career—now in her 16th year—and spent two years coaching and choreographing for the nationally ranked Iowa City West Dance Team. During this time, she also competed in Miss America pageants and choreographed for the Distinguished Young Woman program. She was a longtime guest choreographer at River City All Stars, where her routines earned numerous choreography and first-place awards.

Christy later moved to Tampa, Florida, where she danced and cheered for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She is currently in her 8th year of teaching and choreographing in the Tampa Bay area at BSDA. She loves teaching dance while enjoying Florida with her husband and two daughters.

Kim Barnard hails from Bloomington, IL. Having over 38 years of dance experience behind her, Kim received her training from two incredible studios in Bloomington/Normal and in the Dance/Musical Theatre department of Illinois State University with focus on ballet, jazz, lyrical and contemporary extensively. She has also trained with such notable choreographers as Spencer Liff, Dorianna Sanchez, Harrison McEldowney, Jeremy Plummer and Laura Dunlop. Her professional credits include: Dancing on the 66th Annual Tony Awards, dancing for the Chicago Bulls basketball team, dancing at Six Flags St. Louis and many other incredible experiences! Kim was also a dancer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines for many years, dance captain for Broadway style shows and has been teaching dance for the past 10 years. Kim has been a judge for NexStar for 14 years and LOVES being the owner of her studio in Bloomington! Have FUN. Be YOUNG. DANCE Forever!

Kym began her dance training at the age of three and has trained extensively in ballet, jazz, musical theatre, lyric, and contemporary. She has been a dance educator for more than 35 years studying in Boston, New York, and California and has a wealth of experience in varied dance genres. She has proven herself in the competition industry through her award winning choreography and competitive success of her students. They have won many prestigious awards, nationally and internationally, and have obtained professional careers as dancers with Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise ships, So You Think You Can Dance, New England Patriots Cheerleading, and on Broadway. Growing up she was involved in the pageant circuit and has coached many students participating in the Miss America and Miss Teen USA Pageant program. Kym’s greatest joy is teaching and instilling her
love of dance into students of all levels and ages and as a judge seeing each performer come alive on stage!

Mandy Arroyo, is a dedicated dance educator with over 25 years of teaching experience, began her dance training in the Tampa Bay Area and continued her studies at Howard W. Blake School of the Arts and the University of South Florida. Her passion for the arts and commitment to cultivating confidence and artistry in young dancers has led many of her students and apprentices to successful careers in various genres of dance and the performing arts worldwide. Currently serving as the Dance Department Director at a performing arts school, Mandy has received numerous accolades, including Outstanding Choreographer by Youth America Grand Prix and Dance Teacher of the Year for Hillsborough County Public Schools. She also served as Head Coach of the Plant High School Danceros Dance Team. She is known for her ability to instill technical excellence, artistry, and performance skills in her students.

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.

Taylor Gordon is an international dancer, creator, and educator based in NYC for 20 years. Performance credits include: Metropolitan Opera Ballet (Lincoln Center), Radio City Christmas Spectacular (4 seasons), Angelina Ballerina (off-Broadway/US tour), Kennedy Center, & Carnegie Hall, NY City Center Encores! pre pro, Exit12 Dance Company, Black Iris Project, Dublin Worldwide Productions, TUI Cruises. Choreography credits include: Princeton University, STEPS Beyond Foundation, Dixon Place, “Juliette’s Miracle” film, Jazz Choreography Enterprises, Uptown Rising, Asian-American Film Awards, Women in Motion, Queens Outdoor Dance Festival, DanceAction Garden Series, Nacre Dance Group, T2 Dance Company, LILA Dance Festival. Teaching: NY Film Academy, United Nations Ballet Club, BDC, India, Japan, China, Indonesia, Peridance, Gibney Dance. Featured in NYTimes, CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX5, The Times of India, Dance Magazine, Dance Spirit, Dance Teacher Magazine, United Airlines Magazine. Taylor has been a Resident Director for Dublin Worldwide Productions since 2019. She recently attended Dance Lab NY’s Broadway Choreography Intensive and has assisted several Broadway choreographers as a Show Supervisor for RWS Global. She has danced across 50 countries and counting.

Tonya Ferrucci began her dance training at the age of three and has studied under the late Bette-Ann Monti Rossi for the past 30 years. Her dance training is both extensive and impressive and she was well known in the competition world winning many prestigious regional and national awards. She has trained in Boston, New York, and spent a brief time in California pursuing her dancing career. She was the owner and director of APAC Dance, Inc., one of the most successful studios in the New England area. Her students have won many prestigious regional and national awards including Petite Miss Dance of New England; Petite Miss American Dance Awards, Junior Miss Candance North America, dance-off champions and many national dance scholarships. Her students were gold medal World Dance Champions for the United States in Reisa, Germany. Her unique choreography has been the recipient of many regional and national awards as well. Tonya loves sharing her passion of the artform dance to the next generation of artists.