THE JUDGES
LISA NIEMI SWAYZE
Film Star, Writer, Dancer, Choreographer, Actress, Director
A two-time New York Times bestselling author, Lisa has held many film, and television roles and starred on Broadway in Will Rogers Follies. She also wrote, directed, and starred in the film One Last Dance, as well as the six Drama Critic Awarded play, Without a Word. Before turning to acting and directing, Lisa began her professional life as a dancer. In 2011, Lisa was honored with the title of Dame and invested in the Royal Order of Francis I for her work on behalf of pancreatic cancer.
DEIRDRE RADLER
Ballroom Star
Deirdre Radler is the owner of National Ballroom Dance Productions, Inc. She has been dancing, competing and teaching Ballroom & Latin dance for over 20 years. Along with her husband, United States professional ballroom champion Daniel Radler, Deirdre has received multiple national titles. They were featured on the television program “America’s Ballroom Challenge” and have been the recipients of over 150 top teacher and top studio awards.
JUDY SKINNER
Co-owner & Director of Pofahl Studios, Resident School of Dance Alive National Ballet
Skinner received her B.A and M.Ed from the University of Florida. Her dance training was from Pofahl Studios and continued in New York. She has received four Fellowships in Choreography from the State of Florida as well as two Artist Enhancement grants. She served as Executive Director for DANB for 18 years and Resident Choreographer from 1976. A primary teacher for 18 years and adjunct faculty at UF School of Theatre and Dance for eight years, she has choreographed for the Hippodrome, UF and the Bulgarian National Ballet among others. Skinner served on numerous state grant panels, on the Professional Committee for ACE (Arts for a Complete Education), developed and directed Dance Alive National Ballet’s Educational Programming, and wrote and administered all grants from 1976-2022. Skinner has received the Nancy Smith Award by the Florida Dance Association for “Outstanding Leadership in Dance”, the Girl Scouts of America award for “Women who Make A Difference in the Arts” and “Distinguished Alumna Award” from the University of Florida. She is co-owner and director of the highly respected Pofahl Studios, Resident School of Dance Alive National Ballet.
