HomeConference Speakers

2021 Keynote Speakers

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Valorie Kondos Field

Valorie Kondos Field is the retired head coach of the seven-time NCAA Champion, 22-time Regional and 18-time Pac 12 Champion UCLA Women’s Gymnastics team. Inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010, the four-time “National Coach of the Year” was also named “West Region Coach” of the Year and Pac 12 “Coach of the Century” for her solid track record as a preeminent coach.

Affectionately known by her gymnasts as “Miss Val,” her reputation is only one reason that 46 former US national team members came through her program and why half of the last two Olympic teams committed to UCLA. Valorie’s coaching success can be attributed to her extraordinary leadership and mentorship of young student-athletes, and the way in which she used gymnastics as an avenue through which to teach valuable life lessons, while encouraging individuality and joy. Something Valorie learned from the late John Wooden, the legendary and most successful collegiate basketball coach of all time, who was one of her biggest inspirations, as well as a close mentor and friend. Valorie began her career as a professional ballet dancer and choreographer for the Washington, DC and Sacramento Ballet Companies. Although never a gymnast herself, she’s transferred to her student-athletes all she learned in the world of classical dance. The result of which resulted in nearly three decades of coaching one of the premiere athletic programs in any sport, mentoring hundreds of elite athletes, including Olympic champions Simone Biles, Jordan Wieber, Kyla Ross, Madison Kocian, Laurie Hernandez and Nastia Liukin, among others.

Also known as the nation’s foremost gymnastics choreographer, Miss Val’s many credits include choreographing and directing a myriad of live variety shows, such as the NCAA Opening Ceremonies for Women’s Basketball, a flash mob of famed female athletes and coaches at the inaugural Aurora Games, a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar roast, CBS’s “Jump, Jive & Thrive” Breast Cancer Research Foundation benefit, and 26 years of cirque-type shows for SeaWorld’s Summer Nights and the San Diego Zoo. Current projects include additional live stage shows, TV specials, events and the development of a theatrical musical, plus the highly anticipated post-Olympic “Gold Over America Tour” featuring an all-star team of female gymnastics champions, headlined by Simone Biles and also featuring Katelyn Ohashi, which will begin in Fall 2021 and is slated to visit more than 35 U.S. cities, celebrating powerful female athletes in a high-octane, fun-filled experience.

She is a dynamic and charismatic speaker with an extensive schedule of “Corporate Coaching” events for national companies including JP Morgan Chase, General Electric, Gucci and Jackson National Life Insurance, and has contributed to various panel discussions including Bustle’s “Rule Breakers” and the ESPNW Summit. In her TEDWomen 2019 talk, Miss Val inspires people to reevaluate their definition of success. She maintains that real success is developing champions in life, and that in order to motivate success, we need to inspire those whom we lead without compromising the human spirit.

As a recent breast cancer survivor, Valorie’s positive outlook and hope-filled message is impactful. She empowered her athletes to use their voices, to celebrate themselves, and to enjoy the elite sport that has damaged so many in the past. She also shared her motivating and inspirational messages with the world, with her book, “LIFE IS SHORT, DON’T WAIT TO DANCE: Advice and Inspiration from the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame Coach of 7 NCAA Championship Teams,” which was released in Fall 2018 by the Hachette Book Group. It expounds on her life philosophy: “Don’t wait to see what life is going to hand you, take control of your life and design ~ choreograph it exactly how you want it to turn out.” In her free time, Valorie is active with the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation, LA 84 Olympic Foundation, WISE (Women In Sports & Events), BCRF (Breast Cancer Research Foundation), Unite For Her, and many other charitable organizations, close to her heart. She resides in Los Angeles, CA with her husband, retired UCLA Football Coach, Bobby Field.

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Rob Miller

Rob Miller was a 3-sport athlete in high school and played NAIA college basketball, where he served as team captain his senior year. He has coached both men and women in high school and college basketball as well as in track and field. He is the former director of Champions of Character for NAIA and the former Director of the National Christian College Athletic Association. He is presently the commissioner of the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference. He has been a been a partner in “Proactive Coaching” since 2008. He speaks about 120-130 days per year which have included high school and colleges through the USA and in 4 other nations. He lives in Liberty, Missouri with his wife Susan. They have a daughter, Kendall who resides in Wisconsin.

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Jennifer DePaola

Jennifer DePaola’s goal is to bridge the gap between Dance Specialists, medical and wellness professionals who understand dance-specific injuries and who specialize in treating dancers, and the dance community by providing education, resources, and community outreach programs to provide proper care to dancers. Doctors for Dancers believes that dancers are athletes and She has created an online resource for the Dance Community called Doctors For Dancers where dancers are able to connect with Dance Specialists in their area. She truly believes dancers are athletes and should be treated as such.

Since starting DFD in 2019, they are in 30 states and have reached over 64 countries through their online workshops. It takes a collaborative effort within the dance community to help create positive change and Jennifer is proud to be an active voice to bring better conditions to our dancers.

Jennifer serves on the Dance Task Force, Advisory Board for Doctors For Dancers, and Board of Directors, Bridge Dance Project.

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Kelly Berheide

Kelly Berheide (Elkhart, Indiana) is a former high school dance team and winter guard director. Her dance teams and winter guards have been state and national champions. She has served on the board of directors of the Indiana High School Dance Team Association, Indiana High School Color Guard Association, and the Mid-Continent Color Guard Association. Kelly has been the choreography for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl halftime for the past 28 years. She has also been the choreographer for the Alamo Bowl, Gator Bowl, and National Special Olympics. Kelly is currently the Head Judge and Judge Coordinator for the Indiana High School Dance Team Association. Kelly is co-director of the NDCA judging education program. In real life she is the Principal of the Elkhart High School, School of Arts and Communication in Elkhart, Indiana.

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Melanie Dailey

Melanie Dailey made her first dance team over 30 years ago and since then she’s never stopped dancing, teaching, choreographing, and staging productions. As an instructor, choreographer, and director for Dancz America’s national camp, private clinic and instructional video program, Melanie has taught over 10,000 dancers. She has choreographed for and judged competitions at the local, regional, state and national level for the Missouri Dance Team Association, Indiana High School Dance Team Association, Oklahoma Dance Team Directors Association, Miss Kansas Drill Team Festival, North Dakota Dance and Drill Association, Dance Team Union and Headliners Dance Competition, and is currently working for the Missouri Dance Team Association as the site coordinator for their State Championship.

Melanie has had success in the commercial dance arena, choreographing and dancing in performances with country music artists Toby Keith, Emerson Drive and Jack Ingram, appearing in commercials, movies and television shows, and performing, choreographing and staging national industrials for Silpada Jewelry, Phillip Morris and the School Nutrition Association. She works with many dance teams on choreography, instruction and perfecting routines for competition. Her company, Larkspur Dance and Choreography, hosts a number of dance team events in the Kansas City area and a dance team podcast available on Spotify, iTunes, and all major podcast directories.

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Coree Smith

Coree Smith brings over 25 years of dance team experience as a performer, coach and choreographer to the NDCA. She was captain of the dance team at the University of Northern Iowa and a Collegiate All-American and instructor for NCA Danz (now NDA). Her routines have won 62 state championships and 10 Judges' Choice Awards in the State of Iowa, where she is known for her innovative Pom, Hip Hop and Novelty/Show Production concepts. She has choreographed for many other state, regional and national finalists and champions around the country.

Coree is one of the founders of Dance Team Union and a partner at a major international law firm in Chicago, Illinois, specializing in corporate and commercial real estate law. She also (in her "spare time") serves on the Board of Directors for both the Alpha Phi Foundation and a local animal shelter in Chicago.

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Amanda Gaines

Amanda Gaines is entering her 10th season as the coach of the 19x UDA National Champion and 3x World Champion University of Minnesota Dance Team. Growing up training and competing in all styles at her studio and high school dance team in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Amanda went on to attend the University of Minnesota, where she was a captain and choreographer of the dance team her senior year. After graduating, she jumped right into coaching, and continued choreography with high school, colleges and all star programs around the country. She's taught camps, clinics, master classes and judged all over the world, and is excited to share her passion for dance!

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Jacque Genung-Koch

Jacque “GK” Genung-Koch is grateful to have found her calling teaching dance and coaching student-athletes in the exciting and ever-evolving dance team world. Genung-Koch is currently in her 21st season of coaching and her 9th season as the Head Coach of the GCU Dance Team. A daughter and granddaughter of athletic coaches, Genung-Koch grew up in a basketball gymnasium and is a big fan of the Game Day atmosphere. She strives for her team to create unique and entertaining components as an integral part of the game experience and thrives in the collaborative community of a Spirit Program. Genung-Koch credits her team’s recent successes in the UDA Game Day division to the spirit of always remaining FOR the home team, and to the development of hard-working and committed athletes, prioritizing students’ personal growth and emphasizing accountability.

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Katie Groven

Katie Groven is an ACSM certified personal trainer, holistic health coach and two time world champion dancer. She is the creator of dancer-fitness.com an online exercise database designed to transform competitive dancers into athletic powerhouses. She has combined her 25 years of dance and her expertise in fitness to empower dancers of all ages to view themselves as athletes and gives them the tools to increase their strength, endurance, injury prevention, and overall performance. Katie travels the country cross training teams and studios including Larkin Dance Studio, home to World of Dance finalists Eva Igo, Ellie and Ava Wagner and The Trilogy. When she’s not training individual dancers or teams she’s spending quality time with her husband Chris, daughters Hazel and Amelia or growing her collection of Converse shoes.

Katie is also a Doctors For Dancers specialist and regular blog contributor for More Than Dancers, The Line Up and Apolla Performance

Listen to Katie speak about simple and effective ways to strength train dancers on the Dance Boss Podcast (Ep.56) Count me in Podcast (Ep.68) Dance Studio 411 Podcast (Ep.30) and Larkspur Dance and Choreography Podcast (S3 Ep.12)

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Ramona Kitching

Ramona has over a 30-yr history of involvement with dance competition at many levels and genres of dance. She served as a member of her high school Winter Guard, high school competitive pom, two college pom teams and was a founding member of the Augustana Dance Company in Rock Island, IL.

Since 1997 she has been actively judging for multiple state and national organizations: IHSA, IDTA, TEAMDance Illinois, Varsity All Star, IHDTA, NMAA and Dance Team Union. As President of Competition for TEAMDance Illinois, she promoted and managed the competition division that served 300+ teams at the youth thru college levels, with 3 championships and 25+ regional events annually. In efforts to facilitate the highest standards for dance judging, she co-created the Alliance of Illinois Dance Adjudicators (“AIDA”) and acted as their first Vice-President. Currently Ramona serves the National Dance Coaches Association as a Judge Credentialing Manager.

Originally born in the Midwest, Ramona now is proud to call Arizona home. She received her Masters in Medicine from The Chicago Medical School and currently works as a Physician Assistant in Phoenix.

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Lindsey Lococo

Lindsey Lococo has been the Spirit Coordinator and Head Coach of the University of Illinois at Chicago Dance Team since 2010. As an alumnus of the program, she has let her team to several top five finishes in D1 Hip hop at NDA and DTU.

Amongst other professional experiences, she was featured as a dancer on “Oprah’s Farewell Spectacular” dancing with Beyonce, the IPL Cricket Championship-India, the Baoshan International Arts Festival-China and opening acts for Carly Rae Jepson and Chris Brown. She is a former dancer and captain of the UIC Dance Team, Hip Hop Connxion – Elite, Design Dance Company, the Chicago Storm (MISL) and a UDA Instructor. 

Lindsey has judged for regional, state and national competitions for the IHSA, IHSDTA, UDA, Varsity All-Star brands and was the founding President of the Alliance of Illinois Dance Adjudicators. Over the last 15 years, her choreography has won numerous state titles, top 3 finishes, and national championships in the all-star, high school and college circuits.

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Joni May

Joni May is an Advertising Professional with a varied background in Dance Team Judging and Coaching. She is the current Co-Director of the NDCA Judging Credentials Program. Joni has authored and taught a judging course in England and Scotland for dance team judges and worked with competitive teams in those countries. She was a founder and former Executive Director of TeamDance Illinois, a competition and education circuit that served youth through collegiate teams from 2007-2014. Joni has served as a dance team judge, official and trainer for over 25+ years, judging for Dance Team Union, multiple state and for-profit circuits. She worked as part of a TDI team that developed and managed a comprehensive judge training academy and certification program. She has coached, choreographed and consulted with teams in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

She lives in Denver, CO and is the mother of four sons. She feels it is a privilege to work with the student dancers, coaches, supportive families, schools and organizations who all do their part to bring these performances to each competition.

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Melissa McGhee

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Melissa McGhee is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she obtained a B.S. in Business Administration. She is the current Head Coach of The Ohio State University Dance Team. Under her direction, the team has consistently placed in the top five in Jazz and Pom at the UDA Collegiate National Championship. The team won the program's first ever National Championship in 2018 and has four total to date. After sixteen years of studio training, she now choreographs and consults for dance studios and teams nationally and judges for numerous dance competitions including NDA, UDA, AmeriDance, Showcase America, OASSA, and USASF Dance Worlds. Melissa has been a speaker at the Varsity Dance Coaches Conference, National Dance Coaches Association Conference and provided coaches education classes for CLI Studios. She was also named NDCA's College Coach of the Year in 2020.

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Karl Mundt

For over 20 years Karl has been a leader in the dance team industry, helping teams achieve success at the highest level. His clients have included; Brigham Young University, University of Minnesota, Utah Valley University, Los Alamitos HS, Lake Central HS, Linn Mar Varsity Pom and several All Star & studio programs throughout the Nation.

His choreography has won numerous awards, including over 60 National titles and several World Championship top 5 finishes, including 3 gold medals for the International Cheer Union. Karl also conducts master classes and coaches training across the globe, including North America, Australia, Japan, and Europe.

Over the past several years, Karl has incorporated Mindfulness Based Stress-Reduction (MBSR) techniques in his training to help dancers handle the pressures of competition and perform at their best when it counts most. His greatest passion is inspiring dancers to push past their limits and grow as both athletes and artists.

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Gretchen Noack

Gretchen is a graduate from California State University Fullerton where she majored in Dance and Public Relations. She began her dance career as the director of an award winning dance team in Southern California and then transitioned into the role of Dance Program Director for the United Spirit Association (USA) where she was in charge of staff training and program development for 5 years. Her association with the USA has continued for more than 20 years through her ongoing involvement in dance.

Gretchen has currently embarked on accomplishing her certification in Mat Pilates with the well known Balanced Body Method. She has completed her training in anatomy of the Body, Pilates Mat levels 1 & 2, and Pilates Reformer level 1, and is continuing her journey to her full comprehensive Pilates certification.

Gretchen has choreographed for many nationally ranked dance/drill teams and for numerous professional dance teams, such as the 49er Gold Rush, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers. Gretchen was honored to choreograph for the first-ever NFL international cheerleading auditions held in Tokyo Japan in 2003. She has been involved in the production and teaching of many NBA and NFL halftime shows, as well as traveled to Paris and Australia to help produce holiday parades encompassing over 300 performers. Gretchen has been selected to the judging panel for many state and national competitions, as well as the “All-Star Dance Worlds” Competition. Over the years, Gretchen has been selected to judge at the USA Japan Nationals held in Tokyo.

Gretchen has extensive training in jazz, ballet, hip/hop, pom and traditional dance/drill. Currently Gretchen’s full time career is coordinating Educational Dance Trips for Dance Teams and Studios, all over the United States. She also currently serves as the Partnership/Vendor Chair for the National Dance Coaches Association, and has for the past 3 years. Her passionate involvement in the world of dance continues to present her with exciting opportunities.

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Chelsea Pierotti

Chelsea was trained as a studio dancer in the Denver area, and spent summers training with professional ballet companies, finishing her performance career as a professional ballet dancer in Colorado. Chelsea was also a successful high school dance coach for over a decade. She won multiple State Championship titles and was recognized as Colorado’s Dance Coach of the Year. Outside of coaching, Chelsea also has a Ph.D. in Sport Psychology and is a full-time instructor at the University of Colorado at Boulder. In 2017 she launched an online educational resource for dance coaches called Passionate Coach. Her company provides digital courses and memberships to help dance coaches learn and thrive. She specializes in education for dance teachers and coaches as well as independent consulting with dancers in many areas of mental skills for athletes including confidence, resilience, motivation, and leadership. Dance coaches can visit her website at: passionatecoach.com or check out the new podcast a Passion for Dance at chelseapierotti.com

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Rani Reichow

Program Director of Education, National Dance Coaches Association 18+ years of coaching high school dance and cheer; Directed AZ State Championship Spiritline, USA Nationals Finalists Owner of 2 dance training brands in Arizona: Sharpen Up Dance Team Training & Radiance Dance Training & Fitness Regionals Sales Director, Angela King Designs Panel Judge for UDA, USA & AIA Technical Judge Public Speaker/Presenter Former UDA Head Instructor Former NFL Cheerleader for AZ Cardinals & KC Chiefs Former High School Biology & PE teacher Master of Arts, Secondary Teaching Bachelor of Science in Education, specialized in Exercise Science & Physical Education

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Carsen Rowe

Carsen Rowe is an industry-leading dancer, choreographer, teacher, and dance consultant. Her energetic and genuine teaching style enables her to leave lasting impressions on anyone who has the opportunity to work with her. The combination of her dance team and commercial industry work, gives Carsen a unique perspective making her one of the most in-demand dance team professionals. Some of her commercial dance credits include Ciara’s “Dose” Music Video, Step Up: High-Water, Empire on FOX, Love Simon, and she was featured as a “New Bella” in Pitch Perfect 3.

Trained in ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, pom, and hip hop, Carsen has a well-rounded dance background. Growing up, she competed on Eastern Washington Elite All-Stars, and won 10 UDA National Championships in jazz and hip hop, and one USASF World Hip Hop Championship between 2003-2010. After high school, Carsen moved to Los Angeles where she spent a year pursuing a commercial dance career.

She went on to dance for the University of Cincinnati Dance Team from 2013-2015. Carsen’s collegiate dance experience was unlike most, because she was also the co-choreographer for the team in both pom and hip hop. She won two D1A College Hip Hop National Championships (UDA) and four Gold Medals while competing on Team USA at the ICU World Championships.

In 2016, only one year after graduating college, Carsen founded TRIBE 99 Choreography. TRIBE 99 started as a choreography company, but has since developed to be a powerful multi-faceted dance brand. As a business owner, Carsen has provided many uncharted opportunities for this industry including Choreo-Connect, THE DANCE COMBINE, THE EXPO, and THE TOUR.

Her extensive background and success as a dancer herself, have led Carsen to become one of the most well-rounded choreographers in the dance team space. She works across the globe as a professional choreographer for top high school, college, and pro dance teams in all genres of dance. Since TRIBE 99’s inaugural year, Carsen’s choreography has won 11 UDA National Championships between high school and college, as well as many NDA National Championships.

At a young age, Carsen established herself as a trail-blazing choreographer and business owner in the dance team industry. She values integrity and authenticity, and leads with these core values every day in hopes to make an impact on every person she works with.

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Teri Rowe

M.S. Exercise Physiology, Illinois State University B.A. Physical Education/Dance & Gymnastics concentration, Eastern Washington University

Teri currently resides in the Pacific Northwest. She is one of the founders and an Executive Director of the National Dance Coaches Association (NDCA). Privately, Teri works as a consultant with dance programs at all levels nationally and internationally. She also works as a speaker/presenter helping to educate, inspire and advocate for dance team coaches across the country.

Teri began her teaching/coaching career in 1981 as a college dance instructor and continued for the next 30 years at the middle school, high school, college, semi-pro and all-star levels. Along with teaching and coaching, Teri was also a private studio owner for over 15 years.

Teri has worked as a dance judge nationally for over 30 years. She served as the President of the Washington State Dance/Drill Judges Association (WSDDJA) and as the Safety Technical Director for several years. She worked as a Rules Interpreter for the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) during this time. She co-authored the “WIAA Lift Curriculum”, which certifies coaches in lift and tumbling safety.

Most recently, Teri has developed the NDCA Dance Safety Credential to certify coaches in dance risk management, safety and injury reduction. This is the first safety awareness credential designed specifically for dance coaches. As part of the NDCA, Teri is developing a new Dance Task Force to educate school administrators and athletic directors about dance and to connect dance medicine experts with dance team coaches through collaboration with the Bridge Dance Project.

Teri was inducted to the National Dance Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2019. She was previously inducted to the Washington State Dance/Drill Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2012.

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Trish Ryan

Trish grew up in Omaha, NE, moved to Los Angeles, CA, and currently resides in New York City. Her favorite dance experiences include teaching 15,000+ students in music outreach workshops all over the US, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Japan; developing the competitive dance rulebook and scoresheets for the NAIA in its emerging sport stage; and growing a collegiate dance program 867% by implementing intentional recruitment practices and leading the team to four National Championship titles in her six year tenure as a coach.

Trish currently works full-time as the project manager for TRIBE 99 Choreography, and is also the Membership Director for the National Dance Coaches Association (NDCA). She took class at The EDGE in Los Angeles, studied modern dance at her university, and has choreographed for multiple studios, dance teams, show choirs, musical theater productions, and music artists such as Mulberry Lane, opening act for John Stamos and the Beach Boys.

Trish also spent time on Universal Dance Association (UDA) Staff and danced for two seasons on Omaha’s first ever professional football cheerleading team where she performed as a back-up dancer for C+C Music Factory (Everybody Dance Now!). Trish has choreographed for over 30 high school dance teams in the Midwest, some of who have secured top 10 finishes at the UDA NDTC, as well as 16 state titles. Trish judges competitions nationally around the U.S. and is a credentialed NDCA Judge.

Trish graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration emphasizing Small Business Management from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

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Lindsay Starr Dye

With over 20 years of dance experience, Lindsay Starr brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the industry. Lindsay is a nationally awarded coach and choreographer for numerous schools, studios and all-star dance teams, including her choreography finishing in the top Three at UDA NDTC, and winning a DTU National Championship Title, both within the 2019-2020 season.

Lindsay is the former Head Coach of Decatur High School Dance Team, leading them to countless State and National titles throughout her 16-year reign. In 2010, and 2013 she was awarded Dance Coach of the Year from the Washington State Dance/Drill Coaches Association. In 2019, Lindsay was inducted into the Washington State Dance Drill Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Currently, Lindsay is in her 5th year with Tribe 99 Choreo-Connect as a choreographer and consultant and is serving as President of the Washington State Dance Drill Coaches Association. Lindsay enjoys teaching, consulting, speaking at conferences and judging at both the state and national level.

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Mike Stickle

Mike Stickle was the head coach of the Rutgers Spirit Program from 1990 until 1997, and then returned in 2007 as Associate Head Coach under Christine Zoffinger. As of 2020, he runs recruitment for the entire Spirit Program and oversees their social media accounts. He also started, served as President, and is now an emeritus Board Member of the Rutgers Spirit Program Alumni Letterwinners Association. Mike’s full-time job is as the CEO/Executive Director of Earth Tails Advocacy, a brand new not-for-profit whose goal is to become a catalyst for global change by taking young creative storytellers around the world to learn about wildlife conservation. Mike is also an Emmy Award winning writer and producer whose work has been screened as a Sundance selection. A long-time resident of New York City, he has become a first-time homeowner in Princeton, New Jersey with his husband, Paul, and their dogs, Kevin and Natalie.

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Taylor Thompson

Taylor is a 3 time National Champion Coach/Choreographer, 3 time National Champion dancer and a Dance Worlds Silver Medalist! Taylor's dance journey began 28 years ago at Dance Unlimited, where he competed on successful company and all star teams. After high school Taylor danced for the 20 time National Champion University of Louisville Dance Team. In 2012 he moved to New York City Taylor found his love for creating dance and music and started pursuing choreography and music production.

In 2015, after relocating back to Louisville, he founded In Your Parents Basement Productions which has grown to be one of the largest dance team music production companies in the United States.

Taylor is currently one of the coaches for the 24 time National Champion program Dance Unlimited and also the head coach of the 2 time National Champion Bellarmine University Dance Team.

Taylor is also a dedicated emergency services professional currently working in a busy 911 system at New Chapel EMS!

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Jennifer Whitford

Born and raised in Alabama, Jennifer received her training from Sheffield School of Dance, Dothan School of Dance, and Jen-Deb School of Dance. She attended conventions and competitions with Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, American Dance Spectrum, Urban Jamm, and many others. She spent her summers in Los Angeles and New York studying ballet, tap, contemporary, and hip hop from the best teachers in the Dance Industry. As a member of the Southeast Alabama Dance Company, she performed roles in The Nutcracker and Peter and the Wolf. She received her B.S. in Health Promotion and a M.Ed. in Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. While there, she assisted Kim Wolfe and taught for Birmingham Dance Theater where she received numerous “Best Choreography” awards for her competitive work. Jennifer began working for UDA in 1997 first as an instructor and later as a summer camp choreographer, parade consultant, advisor trainer, and State Director for MS, AL, & GA. She has taught and coached at the high school, college, and professional level for over twenty years, and her choreography has won a UDA National Championship, several state championships and specialty awards, and been featured on ESPN’s broadcast of the NDTC. She is a veteran judge for UDA and has judged for Dance Team Union, American All Star, and ONP Nationals in Mexico.

Jennifer is the owner/director of Jenn Whitford Dance and currently works as a freelance choreographer and consultant for dance teams across the country. She lives in Yardley, PA with her husband, Ray, and son, Acklin and serves as the Head Coach for The College of New Jersey Dance Team.

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Mandy Yip

As the founder and CEO of Acrobatic Arts Inc, Mandy manages the staff and delivery of all training programs, and the Acrobatic Arts syllabus in over 4500 dance studios in USA, Canada, UK, Australia, South Africa and over 25 other countries. She heads the Acrobatic Arts examination program, and trains and certifies adjudicators to administer exams in studios around the world. Over 250,000 dancers participate in Acrobatic Arts classes on a weekly basis!

Mandy created the Acrobatic Arts training and certification program, and the Acrobatic Arts Curriculum, seeking advice and recommendations from industry experts in physiotherapy, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, biomechanics, pilates, inversion, anatomy of movement, ballet, contortion, circus arts, and more to create the most comprehensive, researched program possible. Mandy also created the Acrobatic Arts App, My Acro App, the Acro Adjudicator App, and the AcroDance Preschool App. 

A lifelong learner, Mandy has attended and achieved certification in countless courses, including contortion, hand balancing, inclusive learning, tap, jazz, gymnastics, and safe coaching, to name a few. Mandy currently sits on the advisory board for YPAD, and assists with the mission of keeping kids safe in dance through this organization. Mandy has taught thousands of dance teachers, and provided expert classes at Dance Teacher Summit (NYC), Dance Teacher Web Live (Las Vegas), Dance Teacher Summit (LA), Toronto Dance Teacher Expo, Calgary Dance Teacher Expo, Move It Dance Convention (London), Can You Dance Super Convention (Liverpool), Victorian Dance Festival (Melbourne), and CLI Studios (LA). Highly sought for clinics and workshops across North America, Europe and Australia, Mandy is known for bringing passion, technique and in-depth practical knowledge to engaging classes.

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2021 Keynote Speakers

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