Shannon Box
Shannon Box received her bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Utah. Her 20+ years of training and experience in dance includes study, training, and performance throughout the country; from L.A. at Tremaine Studios to New York, specializing in jazz, modern, contemporary, hip-hop, cheer, tap, and ballet. Shannon graduated from Bountiful High School as the Sterling Scholar in Dance. She also participated as Head Drill Mistress, Cheerleading Captain, and President of the Dance Company. While attending Southern Utah University, Ms. Box studied Dance Education and received her associate's degree. As a member of the Modern Dance Company, Orchesis, she also choreographed, attended, and competed in two American College Dance Festivals. At ACDF, Long Beach, in 2005 her choreographed piece, "Rapid Eye Movement," was selected and featured in the festival's adjudicated works. Producing many other award winning pieces, Shannon continues to share her passion for dance as a professional choreographer and educator. She has been a dance instructor for ten years and currently teaches at Creative Arts Academy, as well as an artistic director of an after school dance program taught at local elementary schools, which provides affordable dance opportunities for all students. As the Judging Coordinator for Champion Dance Productions, Shannon is dedicated to providing the most qualified judges from throughout the state, who are committed to creating the most positive and educational experience for all of our performers.
Originally from Washington, Nicole Busch has studied dance since the age of eight. Beginning with the classic childhood jazz and tap classes, she continued to add to her repertoire such styles as ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop. Nicole participated in various competitions throughout high school, winning numerous high point awards in solos and group numbers. Nicole has taught a variety of classes at her studio, and judged the dance school's auditions for the younger competition teams. During this time, she attended master classes taught by well-known choreographers and performers such as Savion Glover. While at BYU, Nicole was a member of the dance team and performed in The World of Dance. She toured with the BYU Company for one year before graduating. Nicole is currently a second grade teacher and will soon graduate with her master's degree in education. She continues to dance, teach and choreograph occasional dance numbers.
Dana has been dancing since she was three years old. In high school she was active as a cheerleader, participated in musical theater and the Dance Company. After graduating from high school, Dana attended the College of Eastern Utah where she was Head Song Leader for two years, and an active member of the Blue Debs precision dance team. She continued her participating in theater, and while at CEU she starred as Sandy in Grease. After graduating from CEU, she attended Brigham Young University, where she was a member of the national champion Cougarettes Dance and Drill Team. Through BYU, Dana was hired as a back-up dancer for the Osmond family for Stadium of Fire. She graduated from BYU with a degree in dance education. Dana was also the drill team advisor for West Jordan High School for many years. She has taken many masters workshops from Ririe Woodbury, Repertory Dance Theater, Alwin Nickolais, and even Paula Abdul as well as many others. She works now as a free-lance choreographer throughout Utah.
Brooke Jackson has been dancing ever since she was eight years old, and admits her love for dance began when she took her first tap class. Her interest in tap expanded to more genres, and she eventually performed at The Dance Factory with their competition team until she was 16, and moved on to compete with her high school drill team for two years. Ms. Jackson was nominated in her senior year for the All Region title and went on to compete for All State. After graduating from High School, she relocated to Cedar City, Utah to attend Southern Utah University where she broadened her my knowledge of different dance styles and techniques.
Janette Kneese began her dance training in 5th grade, gaining expertise in all dance genres from ballet to hip-hop and drill to contemporary. She danced with her ballet company for 5 years and performed in many performances including The Nutcracker. Janette had the privilege to attend many summer workshops and has been tutored by some of the best ballet dancers in the northwest including Patricia Barker; a world famous ballerina. Janette was in the junior ballet company when she decided to join her high school dance team to broaden her dance experience. She danced with her high school dance team for 4 years and was the co-captain for 3 of those years. She assisted in choreographing many of their routines, and assisted with judging team tryouts. Her dance team placed high in most of their divisions including winning 2nd place at nationals in Orlando, Florida which was televised on ESPN. Janette continued her dance training in ballroom and jazz at BYU-Idaho. She also participated with their cheer team.
Shaylene began dance training at the tender age of three. She was trained to specialize in ballet, contemporary, jazz, and modern. Shaylene spent time in team and solo competitions working to become a national champion. She has performed in numerous locations around the country, including NFL and NBA games. Shaylene enjoyed four years as a cheerleader, including one year as head cheerleader in high school. Shaylene also spent a year as assistant coach for high school Cheer. With her high school dance company, she traveled to New York, taking dance classes from Martha Graham and Alvin Alley. Shaylene is a talented choreographer, providing choreography for various types of dance for several years.
Wendi Rood is a well-rounded dancer began her training at the young age of three, and has achieved expertise in ballet, jazz, tap, clogging, Irish, Pointe, modern, lyrical and hip hop. She has been teaching in local studios for over eight years. Wendi was a member of her high school dance company and served as an officer during her senior year. She also traveled to New York and attended character and modern dance classes at Steps Studio. Ms. Rood has attended many conventions which showcased clogging, jazz, lyrical and hip hop. She trained at Brigham Young University summer dance programs as well as The Repertory Dance Theater, and Tremaine Dance Conventions in Las Vegas. In 2004, Wendi was named one of Tremaine's Studio Dancers of the Year. While attending the University of Utah, she had the opportunity to train under Bonny Story. Wendi is also a member of America Onstage's All American Team and has choreographed many award winning dances. She is a creative choreographer and enthusiastic teacher with extensive performance and competition experience. She has danced with several award winning dance teams and has competed many award winning duets. She has received formal judge training and has been judging with Champion Dance for one year, and continues to attend classes and conventions to stay current with the latest dance techniques and styles.
Emalia Tillotson started dancing at 2 ½ years old and has never stopped (that's 24 years)! She trained in ballet and Pointe from a young age and added jazz and modern training in her teens. Emalia performed in Columbia Dance's annual production of the Nutcracker in Vancouver, Washington for many years as well as many other dance performances. Emalia graduated from Brigham Young University in 2005 with a BA in Dance Education and a Secondary Education Teaching Certificate. While at BYU she was a member of several dance companies including Dancensemble, Kinnect and The BYU Dancers' Company. Kinnect afforded her the opportunity to teach and perform for over 3,000 elementary age students in Utah. She traveled to Brazil to perform and take part in the daCi (dance and the Child international) Conference. As part of The BYU Dancers' Company, Emalia traveled on a two week tour of Idaho, Oregon, Washington as well as a four week tour of S.E. Asia where she taught dance at orphanages and performed for thousands in Thailand, Taiwan and Cambodia. After graduating, Emalia moved to Washington and taught dance to 852 students a week as part of an Arts Education Program for elementary school children. She has judged several dance competitions in Utah and has also served as a Sterling Scholar Dance Judge for Lone Peak High School. She has taught at several dance studios in Washington and Salt Lake County providing instruction at all levels of ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop and tumbling as well as judging for company auditions.
Diane Waldron
Diane has been dancing for over 40 years, and has taught hundreds of local dancers in Wyoming, Texas, Idaho, and Utah over the past 35 years. Ms. Waldron has received dance training in jazz, modern and tap from many great instructors and dance centers like Vagonova, R.A.D, Cecchetti, Jo Rowan, Judith Jameson, Patsy Swayze, Frank Hatchett, Gus Giardano, and NYCB Corps de Ballet. She also choreographed over 60 musical theater productions, as well as for individuals like Miss Wyoming in the Miss America Pageant in 1995 and 1996, as well as over 50 High Point National Title winners during 20+ years of competitive dance. Diane has been judging for dance, gymnastics, and talent pageants for more than 20 years.
Valarie Cazier
Valerie Cazier has loved the world of dance since she performed at Kingsbury Hall at the age of four. Later she received her training from Mr. C, Virginia Tanner, Pearl Wagstaff, RDT, and Ririe Woodbury. Valerie attended BYU and enjoyed participating with the Cougarettes, International Folk Dancers, and the Young Ambassadors. Valerie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Dance Emphasis, and continued in the field of dance by directing Mesa College's Drill Team and choreographing several musicals at the College. She was owner/director of her own professional dance studio for over 35 years and coached High School drill teams in the Sale Lake Valley while teaching several AP History courses. She has enjoyed being a Certified Dance/Drill Judge in the Intermountain area for over 20 years and currently serves on the UDJA (Utah Dance Judges Association) Executive Board.