Meet the jury

  • Brandon Coleman (he/him) is a NYC based choreographer, performer, and teacher from Katy, TX. Formerly a member of Visceral Dance Chicago, Coleman has worked with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago as a guest artist for their 2017 Summer Series. Since moving to NYC in 2017, Brandon has danced with KEIGWIN + COMPANY, the Metropolitan Opera ballet, VIM VIGOR Dance Company, Belinda McGuire Dance Projects, and spent the last six years as a performer and Rehearsal Director for Punchdrunk's SLEEP NO MORE. 

    Brandon is a graduate of the University of Arizona, where he received his BFA in Dance and BA in Communication with a minor in Arts Administration. He attended Springboard Danse Montréal in 2016 and 2017 and received additional training from River North Dance Chicago and KEIGWIN + COMPANY

  • Theresa Stone is a professional choreographer and creative director with 10+ years of experience in the industry. After dancing professionally with names such as Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Ciara, and more, she stepped into the choreography scene to continue her career.

    Her choreography has been seen on So You Think You Can Dance, FX, HBO, Bravo, and many others. She has worked with artists including Alicia Keys, The Good News Girls, Todrick Hall, Cautious Clay, A Great Big World, Gwen Stefani, and more. Her brand experience also includes Monat, Maybelline, Nike, Tory Burch & Target among others, and her live work includes New York Fashion Week, Six Flags Great Adventure, and Jalesh Cruises.

  • Maya Taylor is a highly sought-after choreographer and movement director whose work spans film, television, live performance, and global campaigns.

    Maya’s film credits include People We Meet on Vacation, The Iron Claw, The Dirt, If You Were the Last, and Tall Girl 2. Her television credits include I’m A Virgo, The Changeling, Looking for Alaska, and CLAWS. In music, Maya has shaped iconic performances for Kelly Rowland, Rosalía, Solange Knowles, St. Vincent, and Arcade Fire, including Rosalía’s electrifying 2022 Latin Grammys showcase and Kelly Rowland’s standout 2023 Sydney World Pride performance.

    Her expertise extends to major commercial campaigns for Apple, Adidas, Burberry, Calvin Klein, and MAC Cosmetics among many others, seamlessly blending movement and storytelling. Maya’s accolades include a 2019 MTV VMA nomination for Best Choreography for Solange’s ALMEDA and recognition as one of Dance Magazine’s "25 to Watch" in 2020.

    With a career defined by versatility and innovation, Maya continues to redefine choreography and movement direction, leaving a lasting impact on every project.

  • Naomi Funaki is a tap dance artist from Tokyo, Japan, currently living in New York City working with New York based companies. She has worked for Ayodele Casel, Caleb Teicher & Company, Music From The Sole and Dorrance Dance. She is also an alumni of The School at Jacob’s Pillow for their tap program of 2017. Other favorite performance credits include Tap Family Reunion, Fall For Dance (New York City Center), Vail Dance Festival, Dance Against Cancer (Lincoln Center), and Ayodele Casel and Arturo O’Farrill (Joyce Theater), The MET Gala, YouTube Brandcast Event (Radio City Music Hall), Works & Process (Guggenheim) , “Infinity” in Tokyo. And “Chasing Magic “ (Joyce Theatre).