MILWAUKEE, WI APRIL 16 -18, 2021 www.epicdancecompetition.com WELCOME STUDIOS & DANCERS! Academy of Ballet Wauconda All of the Above Dance Company Aspirations Dance Company Dance & Music Academy Elation Dance Center Liberty Dance Center Lisa’s School of Dance North Shore Dance Studio R&B Dance Center Revolution Dance Showcase Dance Studio Warped Studios BRENT OPLOTNIK EPIC DIRECTOR Brent Oplotnik grew up studying at Applause Dance Studio in Oklahoma City under the direction of his mother, Patricia Oplotnik. His television career began at age nine years old when he appeared on Star Search and Univision’s El Sabado Gigante. It wasn’t long before he was cast in The Fox Movie of the Week, “Rise and Walk: The Dennis Byrd Story” starring Peter Berg. His work in lm led to another supporting role in Mark Lester’s HBO Special, “Public Enemy #1” starring Theresa Russell and Alyssa Milano. Brent has performed with world famous Las Vegas magician Melinda, The First Lady of Magic and has appeared with Randy Travis, Creed, Dino, Andy Williams, Jimmy Osmond and Neal McCoy. Brent has also been featured in Dance Spirit magazine with renowned choreographer and master teacher Tymme Reitz. He has created award winning choreography for countless shows in Branson, Missouri and numerous Six Flags theme parks across the nation. His award winning competition choreography can also be seen in dance studios across the country. As a veteran adjudicator, Brent has worked with Dance Masters of America, Hall of Fame, Adrenaline, VIP and Masquerade. And as a master teacher, Brent has been on faculty for conventions like Dance Olympus, LA Dance Magic and Flow 40 Dance Workshops. LAUREN GERARD EPIC MC Always having the desire to be a well-rounded and focused performer, Lauren has been driven by the idea that all obstacles present opportunities. Now living in Los Angeles & represented by Go 2 Talent Agency, Lauren has performed on stages reaching audiences of all kinds. A former member of the University of Virginia NCAA Dance Team, Lauren also performed with the Virginia Dance Company. Throughout her career, she has performed variations from Le Corsaire, taken part in Disneyland’s Holiday Spectacular, worked as a print model for nationally recognized dance apparel companies and danced at The Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve (featuring Bruno Mars) for two years running. However, she’s always found her way back to Los Angeles. She recently performed in Colombian artist Karol G’s hit music video “Tusa” featuring Nicki Minaj, which is now nominated for “Best Video” at the 2020 Heat Latin Music Awards. Lauren has also been working with choreographer Christian Vincent as part of a skeleton crew for an upcoming Netix series “Madame C.J. Walker” starring Octavia Spencer. As a dancer and certied yoga instructor, Lauren is especially proud to have been a part of the Debbie Reynolds Scholarship Program, and to have trained with the American Ballet Theatre. Lauren has worked with Luther Brown, Lindsey & Craig, Sienna Lyons, Anthony Thomas, Gustavo Vargas, Shawnette Heard, Rhapsody James, Marguerite Derricks, Jackie Sleight, and Scotty Nguyen. As her career continues to grow, so does her dreams. And she hopes to encourage young dancers everywhere to do the same! DEBBI SAMPSON EPIC JUDGES Debbi has been in the dance industry for 30 plus 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 20 years and has choreographed and taught numerous nationally acclaimed 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 dance industry which include Broadway, Broadway National tours, Cruise Lines and Disney. Being a dance educator is what Debbi loves, hoping to help young dancers reach their dreams. BRITTANY LORIN From a young age, the world of performance opened to Brittany as she began her training in musical theater. After years of training in San Antonio, she continued her education at Oklahoma City University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Dance and Arts Management. Upon graduation, she moved to New York City to begin her professional dance career. She has worked with the best of the best at Broadway Dance Center in hip hop and street jazz as well as New York’s most established including Jerry Mitchell, Joshua Bergasse, Marc Kimmelman, and Al Blackstone. Brittany has appeared on New-York-centric platforms that span from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to New York Fashion Week. Throughout her career, Brittany has performed all across the United States performing in A Chorus Line, The Music Man and Chicago. Brittany also danced in the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics, iLuminate, La Shelle, Broadway Bares, Busch Gardens, and Disney Cruise Lines. Now living in Los Angeles, she is continuing her career as a multi-hyphenated performer in television and lm. She wishes all performers this weekend the best with love and support! MEGAN MCLAUGHLIN Megan McLaughlin is a New York City based musical theatre performer. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, she grew up dancing competitively and performing in numerous live theatre shows. Determined to follow a career in professional dance, Megan attended Oklahoma City University and graduated Suma Cum Laude from with a Bachelor of Performing Arts. Megan is now is based in New York City and has been working professionally ever since. Most recently, she performed on Amazon Prime’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She has also found a “home on the road” touring the country with Broadway national tours such as 42nd Street and Elf The Musical. Some of Megan’s other favorite theatre credits include Singin in the Rain, Crazy For You, and Oklahoma! Megan has a great love of performing but an even greater love of educating the next generation of dancers. She is so happy to be a part of the Epic Dance Competition team! The ocial on-site photo/video provider of Epic Dance Competition. Visit epicdancephoto.com for your BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE photo oer! For high school students entering their sophomore, junior or senior year interested in Broadway, commercial, or entertainment dance. (high schoolers entering their freshmen year of college are also welcome to attend) Visit: www.okcu.edu/dance/workshops/summerdance Competition Event Schedule MILWAUKEE, WI 2021 April 16-18, 2021 Friday - April 16, 2021 SESSION 1 - 3:30 PM - 7:00 PM Novice Large Group Musical Theatre - Ages: Mini 1 Into The Woods Aeris Avila, Paige Camarda, Kaelynn Revolution Dance Carlson, Kaylie Carlson, Sylvana De La Torre, Ashley Donnahue, Harper Gancarczyk, Willow Kasper, Kailee Lezondra, Abigail Mcclellan, Reagan Oliva, Emerson Ritter, Kasia Sallans, Sydney Sellmeyer, Addelyn Workman Elite Large Group Hip Hop - Ages: Teen 2 Welcome To The Neighborhood Lilyana Bobek, Camila De La Torre, Revolution Dance Kaylee Donnahue, Olivia Gedge, Ava Laurendi, Isabel Lockowitz, Mia Pereda, Brooke Plowman, Jillian Pranckus, Elisa Quaresima, Jared Schultz, Aubree Stevenson, Brooke Wikoff, Grayden Workman Elite Solo Lyrical - Ages: Teen 3 Half Light Dylan Bishop Revolution Dance Novice Large Group Jazz - Ages: Mini 4 September Aeris Avila, Jessica Barrett, Paige Revolution Dance Camarda, Kaelynn Carlson, Kaylie Carlson, Harper Gancarczyk, Willow Kasper, Emily Mcclellan, Abigail Mcclellan, Zoe Mcclelland, Emerson Ritter Elite Solo Open - Ages: Teen 5 Hold Your Breath Leah Ingram Revolution Dance Elite Solo Contemporary - Ages: Junior 6 Telescope Aubree Stevenson Revolution Dance Intermediate Small Group Tap - Ages: Mini 7 Mas Que Nada Aeris Avila, Kaelynn Carlson, Kaylie Revolution Dance Carlson, Ashley Donnahue, Finley Kimmes, Reagan Oliva, Raylee Pleshar, Emerson Ritter Elite Solo Contemporary - Ages: Junior 8 Strange Days Grayden Workman Revolution Dance Intermediate Solo Hip Hop - Ages: Junior 9 Roman's Return Roman Miller Revolution Dance Competition Event Schedule MILWAUKEE, WI 2021 April 16-18, 2021 Elite Large Group Contemporary - Ages: Teen 10 What Have I Done Dylan Bishop, Courtney Boyer, Camila Revolution Dance De La Torre, Miranda Deacon, Kaylee Donnahue, Emily Huskey, Leah Ingram, Micala Loose, Gabriella Quaresima, Aubree Stevenson, Peyton Toman, Brooke Wikoff Novice Large Group Hip Hop - Ages: Mini 11 The Get Down Aeris Avila, Paige Camarda, Kaelynn Revolution Dance Carlson, Kaylie Carlson, Harper Gancarczyk, Willow Kasper, Finley Kimmes, Emily Mcclellan, Abigail Mcclellan, Zoe Mcclelland, Reagan Oliva, Emerson Ritter Intermediate Large Group Hip Hop - Ages: Junior 12 Get Back Up Sylvana De La Torre, Ashley Revolution Dance Donnahue, Layla Lafave, Kailee Lezondra, Miley Loose, Roman Miller, Raylee Pleshar, Kasia Sallans, Emily Sanchez, Sydney Sellmeyer, Olivia Thoele, Addelyn Workman Elite Solo Lyrical - Ages: Junior 13 Thursday Aubree Stevenson Revolution Dance 14 Human Lilyana Bobek Revolution Dance Elite Large Group Hip Hop - Ages: Teen 15 Hip Hop's Finest Dylan Bishop, Nicholas Bobek, Revolution Dance Courtney Boyer, Miranda Deacon, Emily Huskey, Leah Ingram, Micala Loose, Gabriella Quaresima, Alex Rodriguez, David Rodriguez, Peyton Toman Elite Solo Tap - Ages: Junior 16