Head Judge

Dana Edwards

Dana is a World DanceSport Federation, WDO, and USA Dance Adjudicating Official, Invigilator, Scrutineer, a USA Dance Chairman of Adjudicators, She has been Chairperson of Adjudicator and Adjudicator for Collegiate competitions since 1997. She holds her Master degrees in Ballroom, Rhythm and Theatre Arts with AIDA and DanceVision and her International Latin and Ballroom license with Fellow WDSF. 

She is a retired NDCA Open Professional competitor. She has competed in International Latin and Standard however, she found her main success as a NDCA Professional American Smooth and American Rhythm Champion and a Fred Astaire Professional American and Canadian /American Smooth Champion. Top Teacher Awards from FADS and was the Arnold Sports Festival. Dana has also worked on an animated film for the Walt Disney Films. Served on the AIDA National Committee since 2016. She is currently the Director of collegiate division and Certification with USA Dance.

Judges

Maura Garuccio

Italian born, internationally trained and globally fêted, Maura Garuccio is a competitive, professional ballroom dancer and instructor. In 2012, Maura was awarded the prestigious title of Italian Champion in International Standard. Recently, she was awarded the Top Female Teacher in the Global Dancesport Series 2024. 

With 15 years of professional experience, Maura has studied and trained under seven world champions and brings an unwavering combination of technical expertise and modern dance methods.

  • 2012: Italian Champion, International Standard

  • 2023: Finalist in Top Teacher, Ohio Star Ball

  • 2023: Top Female Teacher, United States

  • 2024: Top Female Teacher, Global Dancesport Series

Maura was born in Brindisi, Italy and currently resides and teaches in Cincinnati, Ohio (USA).  She routinely brings in world class instructors to help coach her competitive students that compete on a national scale. Not surprisingly, Maura’s students dominate the national dance competitions with her infusion of grace, skill and power.

Enoch Vannoy

Enoch started dancing International Latin at the age of 9 under the instruction of Bill Sparks and Svetlana Iskhakov, both former Latin champions. He competed in the amateur Latin division with his partner until the age of 16 where he found his love for teaching. He started teaching professionally at the early age of 16 and has continued to develop his methodology and teaching skills throughout his 13 years of experience from some of the best coaches in the country. Enoch now resides in Columbus, Ohio where he co-owns a ballroom studio with his partner Anastasia and competes professionally in American Rhythm. Enoch and Anastasia have won several American Rhythm titles in Rising Star and Open divisions across the country.

Przemek (Shem) Fokt-Skierecki

Przemek (Shem) Fokt-Skierecki is a professional ballroom dancer, coach, and choreographer with over 30 years of dance experience and nearly 15 years of professional teaching. He has competed and performed internationally across the United States and Europe, including extensive work in the United Kingdom and Poland through competitions, teaching, showcases, and charity events. His teaching has received multiple professional recognitions, and he is known for his disciplined, student-focused approach to technique and artistry.

Aaron McLain

Professional American Smooth competitor for 5 years with his wife, Kelsey McLain. Aaron holds several Professional Rising Star titles in the Midwest, East Coast and South. He has been teaching for over 7 years and shares a business, Encore Ballroom Dance, for over 3 years with Kelsey. Aaron has a background Theater Dance, Tap and Jazz. He has been performing for his whole life. He holds DVIDA certifications through silver and is in the process of obtaining gold.

Kelsey McLain

Professional American smooth competitor for 5 years with her husband, Aaron McLain, holding several Professional Rising Star titles in the Midwest, East Coast and South. She has been teaching for 6 years and runs a shared business, Encore Ballroom Dance, for 3 years with Aaron. Kelsey has a 10+ year background in competitive figure skating as well as training in ballet, jazz and an emphasis in contemporary dance. She holds DVIDA certifications through silver and is working towards Gold.

Scrutineer

Rosemary O’Connell

Rosemary O’Connell fell in love with ballroom dancing as a student at Carleton College. She continued dancing at the University of Minnesota and started volunteering in the ballroom community while pursuing her PhD in mathematics. She has been scrutineering collegiate ballroom competitions since 2017 and became certified as a scrutineer in 2024. When not doing something dance-related, she can be found spending time outside with her husband Dan, writing software at her day job, playing oboe in a community group, or playing with her two adorable cats Mike and Ike.

DJ & Emcee

Terry Cavanaugh

Terry Cavanaugh is a Ballroom Champion and a Certified Dual Gold Star Instructor. He and his partner were ranked Third in the World in American Smooth and American Rhythm. They also competed in Showdance and Theatre Arts.

   He was the Principal Dancer for the American Dance Montage tour of the United States, South America and Japan. Owner of Elegance In Dance, The 50+ Dancesport Challenge, The Dayton Dance Festival, Dayton Dance Challenge, former owner of the Indiana Challenge and the Florida State Dancesport Championships. Terry has choreographed for The Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park and appeared on ESPN, Championship Ballroom Dancing, and PBS.

     Terry has won numerous Top Teacher awards in the U.S. and overseas.  His students have won National Titles and World Titles. He is a registered Professional Competitor, Pro/Am Teacher, registra, Emcee, Music Director, and Competition Organizer with the National Dance Council of America.