Meet the
Judges
At Act 1 Talent we take great pride in our commitment to excellence. As part of our mission to recognize and celebrate outstanding talent our panel of industry professionals are here to elevate dancers on their artistic journey. We believe each performance is a chance to witness the transformative power of dance and celebrate the dedication of those who take our stage. Meet some of our judges!
Brandon Leffler
On The Town (Broadway) / Cinderella (Broadway) / Wicked (Broadway) / A Chorus Line (Broadway National Tour) / Tony Awards / Saturday Night Live
Pauline Mata
SYTYCD / Janet Jackson / Justin Bieber / J-Lo / Derek and Julianne Hough’s Move Beyond Live Tour
Erin Marino
MSA Director of Education / Beyonce / Dua Lipa / Katy Perry / Gwen Stefanie / Encanto Live / Hairspray Live / Emmy Awards
George Lawrence
SYTYCD / Teen Beach 2 / La La Land / Glee / Academy Awards / Late Late Show with James Corden / Panic! At the Disco
Janaya French
DWTS / SYTYCD / Physical / Gilmore Girls A Year In The Life / AMA’S (Shania Twain) / People’s Choice Awards (Kelsea Ballerini)
Michelle Elkin
Young Sheldon / Sutton Foster Live / Younger / Wonderland (Broadway) / The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Kelly Allen
Physical / G.L.O.W. / The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel / Lucifer / Academy Awards / Miss U.S.A. / Jimmy Kimmel Live
Kelsey Nelson
Rock of Ages (Motion Picture) / Million Dollar Arm / Royal Caribbean International / Universal Studios Orlando / Nuclear Cowboyz Tour
Liz Guerrieri
Demi Lovato World Tour / Saturday Night Live / Latin Grammys / Coachella / Justin Bieber / Halsey / Pentatonix
Marisa Kirby
Baby (Off-Broadway) / Kinky Boots (Weathervane Theatre) / Chicago (Weathervane Theatre) / Les Miserables (Arkansas Repertory Theatre)
Jordan Ballard
Hairspray (Broadway) / Enron (Broadway) / Rent (Broadway National Tour) / Reno 911 / Grammy Awards
Tadd Gadduang
SYTYCD / Disney’s High School Musical 2 & 3 / MTV’s/Paramount’s The American Mall / Christina Aguilera / Zendaya
Carol Connors
GTA Education Department Agent / EDGE Performing Arts Center (Co-Founder) / The MuppetMovie / La La Land
Robert Schultz
Modern Family / The Backstreet Boys / Caesars Palace / Paulina Rubio Grand City Pop Tour / Keeping up with the Kardashians / Billboard Awards
Nichelle Bane
Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo / Princess Cruise Lines / AMDA College of the Arts Faculty / Friends
Tony Loupe
Wade Robson / Gregory Hines / Dianne Walker / Savion Glover / Nike / Avia / Columbia Sportswear
Judges are subject to change, additions and substitutions will be made throughout the season.