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APR 24 - APR 26 PORTLAND, OR
Portland showcases judges with extensive backgrounds in dance education and professional performance, delivering clear, experience-driven feedback rooted in technique and artistry.
Debbi Sampson
Lincoln, CA
Debbi has been in the dance industry for over 40 years studying Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theater and Contemporary. She has enjoyed being a part of multiple dance companies in the Northern California area. Her experience spans beyond her dance training as a teacher and dance educator. She has been the artistic director of her family's award-winning studio for almost 30 years and has choreographed and taught numerous award-winning numbers. Expanding into acting, she has appeared in multiple stage productions including 42nd Street and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and has appeared in various television commercials. Many of her students have gone on to professional careers in the dance industry which include Broadway, Broadway National tours, Cruise Lines and Disney. Since 2020 Debbi has had the opportunity to travel as a dance competition adjudicator. Being a dance educator is what Debbi loves, hoping to help young dancers reach their dreams. Debbi is currently on the roster of judges with Impact Dance Adjudicators.
Vanessa Huntoon
Phoenix, AZ
Vanessa Huntoon is originally from Phoenix, Az. She started dancing at age 8 in all areas ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, acro and contortion . At age 17 after she graduated high school. She was chosen to be one of the twenty on scholarship at the prestigious Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood. On scholarship she studied under Eddie Garcia, Alex Magno, Mandy Moore , Wade Robson to name a few. After the year program she signed with an agent and started working professionally for 15 years. Her career highlights include Glee, How I Met Your Mother, American Dreams, Victorious, Fired Up, MTV Movie Awards, Dancing with Stars , So You Think You Can Dance Promo,and danced for Justin Timberlake, Cher, Eminem, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pussy Cat Dolls to name a few. She did commercials for GAP, IPOD, Honda, Lexus, Quaker. She now lives, teaches jazz, ballet, lyrical, acro, tap and ballroom. She choreographs in Arizona and all over the country. Her students have won many overall awards, scholarships, technique, and choreography awards. She was a competition kid growing up and loves judging now as a teacher. She is also on the roster of Dance Competition Judges with Impact Dance Adjudicators.
