Star-studded Judges & Convention Instructors

Monyett Monyett Crump first discovered his love for dance at the age of 15 after being inspired by dance icons such as Michael Jackson Crump and the Jabbawockeez. Since then, he has trained in Urban Movement with some of the top instructors and professional dance studios all over the country. He has also been a part of some of Chicago and Los Angeles's main urban companies including The Puzzle League, The Young Lions, immaBEAST, and CODA to name a few. Monyett has had the honor of working with artists including Jennifer Hudson, Ciara, Chance the Rapper, DLOW, Jody Watley, and Keke Palmer. In addition to dancing, Monyett has choreographed and taught across the country and in the United Kingdom. Monyett hopes to inspire dancers around the world, especially the next generation of dancers, and hopes to promote hard work and commitment.

Kendra Jorstad is currently the artistic director and founder of jorsTAP Chicago, the only all female concert tap dance company in Kendra Chicago. Originally from Newark, IL, Kendra graduated from Point Park University with a BA in Dance Performance and an emphasis in Jorstad jazz dance. She moved to Chicago and began her career with the Joel Hall Dancers. During that time, she also performed with Rasa Dance Theatre and became an original member of Chicago Tap Theatre. Kendra was the rehearsal director and dancer for Chicago Tap Theatre for nine seasons. She choreographed many pieces for the company as well, receiving critical acclaim. Performance credits in- clude Dance Chicago, Giordano Jazz Dance World Congress, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, New York Musical Theatre Festival, Lollapalooza (with the Polyphonic Spree), Ravinia, Duets for my Valentine, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, and other Chicago Tap Theatre performances in Chicago, France, Cincinnati, Pennsylvania, and NYC. Teaching credits include the Omaha Dance Teachers Association workshop, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Des Plaines Dance Idol, Wisconsin Dance Masters Workshop, Indiana State Dance Championships, suburban high school orchesis/dance programs, and numerous studios in the Chicagoland area.

Robert Mckee attended Point Park University and is a former company member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. He has been Robert a guest dancer and choreographer most recently with Chicago Dance Crash, Cerqua Rivera, and other Independent projects. Mckee Robert began an interest in teaching and choreography at a very young age. Influenced by percussive rhythms and dynamic shapes, he finds himself always inspired to create. Robert is the Artistic Director of Inaside Chicago Dance, has been on faculty at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, a teacher for Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, and teaches throughout the Chicagoland area. He has worked with Rockford Dance Company, The Giordano Project, Giordano Juniors, McDonald Dance Academy, Barrington High School, Northshore School of Dance Performing Ensemble, the Giordano on Giordano choreography showcase, Riverside Brookfield High School, Northern Illinois University and Framework Dance Chicago.

Joe Musiel was born in Buffalo, NY and later moved to Indiana where he received his Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology while studying Contemporary Dance at Indiana University. During his time at IU he had the opportunity to work with a variety of Joe renowned artists and companies such as Larry Keigwin and Nicole Wolcott, Parsons Dance Company, Eisenhower Dance Musiel Ensemble, American Dance Festival, Ballet Chicago, and Deeply Rooted Dance. In 2013, Joe moved to Chicago to accept a second company position dancing with Giordano Dance Chicago allowing him to learn from artists such as Brock Clawson, Ronnie Koresh, and Autumn Eckman. Most recently Joe finished his second season as a founding Company Dancer with South Chicago Dance Theater as well as his third season with Water Street Dance (Formerly SueMo, under the direction of Morgan Williams). He is also currently in his second season as an Ensemble Company Dancer with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theater. His performing credits also include the Jeff award winning West Side Story at the Paramount Theater (Aurora) and a principle dancer with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. In addition to performing on stage he has found a knack for choreography. His work has been seen throughout the Chicago area at such events as Carnival: A Choreographers Ball, College of DuPage Choreography Competition, Alluvion Dance Chicago Showcase, and Deeply Rooted Emerging Choreographer Showcase. He has also had the opportunity to set work on companies such as Inaside Dance Chicago and Noumenon Dance Ensemble.

Corrine Reggio has spent nearly her entire life dancing, and has been shaping young dancers for the last 15 years. She has Corrine experience teaching all disciplines and styles of dance for all ages and abilities, with a strong background in Ballet, Jazz, and Reggio Modern. Corinne has studied and trained with some of Chicago's elite dancers and choreographers; Ellen Werksman, Nana Shineflug, Rosemary Doolas, Frank Chaves, Kelly Hill, Margaret Palmer, among many others. She was among some of the first graduates at Larkin High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Academy, and has since continued training throughout Chicago and New York City. Her performance history includes Midwest Dance Collective, Dancewerks Productions; Dance Chicago, The Velveteen Rabbit, The Secret Garden Ballet, Legs and Lace, Nightmare on Chicago Street, along with many other concerts, collaboratives, and commercial events. She has been a judge for Triple S National Competition, Des Plaines Dance Idol, and the Dancewerks Memorial Scholarship, and is currently on staff at a number of studios in the northwest Chicago suburbs. While Ms. Corinne’s passion is sharing her love of dance with her beautiful students, her other passion is being Mom to her two sons and a number of her rescue animals.

Ellen Werksman began her professional career in dance at the age of 16 with Illinois Regional Ballet. She has worked and trained with Robert Joffrey, Lou Conte (Hubbard Street Dance Company), Gus Giordano, and the American Ballet Theater. Ms. Werksman’s long list of performance credits include 10 years as concert dancer in Chicago and commercial appearances on Star Search, Oprah Winfrey, featured dancer with the National Dirty Dancing Tour, and dancing for the film’s promotional tour in the Midwest. She has also collaborated with Dance for Life, and worked with soloists from the popular "So You Think You Can Dance" television series. As an instructor, Ms. Werksman has taught across the country and has been recognized in “Who’s Who Among American Teachers” for her dedication and outstanding commitment to the art of dance. Ms. Werksman founded and Ellen directed Applause Talent Presentations Scholarship and Workshop Program, where she was a National Adjudicator and Werksman Smith Director of the Workshop series across the United States. She continues to provide scholarships to aspiring dancers across the country through Dancewerks Regional, National Werkshops. Her new studio is located in Barrington Illinois. States. Ms. Werksman continues to provide scholarships to aspiring dancers across the country through Dancewerks.