We are excited to announce our Adjudicators and Special Guest Teachers for Dance Quest 2011!
Meghan Way - Adjudicator
Meghan Way is originally from St. Louis, MO. She now is living in Los Angeles working as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer.
As a dancer, she grew up assisting and learning from Liz Imperio, Tyce Diorio, and Doug Caldwell, among others. She has worked on industrials for Wrigley's, GE, Redken, and Tarbell Realty. Meghan has been in commercials for Carvel Ice Cream and John Robert Powers alongside the stars of “High School Musical,” and as a featured dancer on “Lopez Tonight”. In the concert world, she has been a part of Gregg Russell’s “Tapsounds Underground”, Nichelle Bane’s “Reflections Dance Company”, and Joelle Martinec’s “SoleVita”. Meghan has also performed at Harrah’s Casino for New Years and Disneyland’s “Snow White”. Most recently, Meghan performed and lived short term in Shanghai, China, where she represented America under direction of Teresa Taylor and JoAnn Jansen at the 2010 World Expo. Meghan has also performed internationally in Singapore, Costa Rica, England, Switzerland, and Germany.
Meghan has been given many opportunities to inspire as a teacher and choreographer as well. Recently, she assisted JoJo Diggs in Tokyo, Japan training “Johnny and Co.” boy pop bands. Meghan has taught at the EDGE in Hollywood, and was on guest faculty for LA Dance Force. She has been blessed to have the opportunity to also teach for DMA, Dance Olympus, Idyllwild School of Music and Arts, Boogiezone University, Robert Schultz’s “Artists in Training”, and Gregg Russell’s “3D Dance Network”. She has traveled across the country to teach and choreograph at numerous studios, and has had the chance to educate internationally in Canada, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Her choreography was seen at the Guatemalan National Theater in the seasonal show, ''Navidad Fantastico''. Additionally, she has choreographed for Tapsounds Underground, the University of Missouri Golden Girls, and numerous times for Carnival at the Key Club in Los Angeles.
Frances Manzo - Adjudicator
Frances Manzo, originally from Houston, Texas, Frances began her professional career at the age of 17 when she received notice that she was booked to tour with Solange Knowles and Destiny’s Child. Shortly after, she moved to Los Angeles to further pursue a career in entertainment. She has worked on dozens of films, plays, commercials, tours and music videos. She studied acting at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and graduated from Loyola Marymount University in the top 4% of her class with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. For her starring role in the play, "Halo," Frances won the Maddy Award for Best Actress in 2008. As a professional dancer, she is trained in Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Salsa and partnering. A few of her credits include Britney Spears, Beyonce, 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, "Hannah Montana", "Glee", "iCarly", TheLXD, "The Fresh Beat Band", “Big Time Rush”, and Aaron Carter.
Joshua Allan Cyr - Adjudicator
Joshua Allan Cyr (Performer) Joshua hails from Abbotsford, British Columbia and has been touring the world with Tap Dogs for the past seven years. He attended the world jazz and tap championships in Holland and Germany, and is the recipient of numerous tap honors, including Canadian Dance Champion, Showtime Dancer of the Year and Mr. Dance or North America, to name a few. Some of Joshua’s numerous stage credits include Guys and Dolls, Hello Dolly, Brigadoon, Crazy for You and a Chorus Line. While Joshua has been a favorite for many directors, globally he has entertained the corporate and media audiences of Mercedes Benz, Fifa 2000, Camel, BBC, T.Mobile, Audi, American Express, TV Guide, Amstel Beer, Circuit City, Big Brother, The Mike Bullard Show and the 2002 opening day San Francisco 49ers halftime show. Joshua has preformed and choreographed worldwide in such areas as North America, Germany, England, Switzerland, Japan, Hungary, and South Africa. Most recently Joshua returned from a tour of China debuting the production of Wally East woods’ Iron Beats.
Teya Wild - Special Guest Teacher
Born in Toronto and raised in Vancouver, Teya started her dance journey at the age of eight and has never looked back! Training in every style she could, (competing in many), her years of experience include: RAD ballet honours graduate, Pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, hip hop, & the funk styles.
Her love and passion for dance led her to training and travelling opportunities such as adjudicating, the SOULdiers Hip Hop Co., Monsters Of Hip Hop Dance Convention (showcase finalist Nominee) and touring all over BC with Project Soul's hip hop educational performance crew, "Art Starts", spreading the love and knowledge to students about hip hop's history & its aspects.
Some of Teya's credits include: So you think you can dance canada: Season 4, Cobu 3D, Sucker Punch, Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Hellcats, Music Video- Shut Up And Dance: Victoria Duffield, You're So Hollywood: Elise Estrada, Spectacular, Another Cinderella Story, Center Stage 2: Turn It Up, and Radio Disney. She was very honoured to be a part of the 2010 Olympics and has over eight years experience teaching high ranking competitive groups all over Vancouver.
Teya's motto is that "Dance Celebrates Life" and she couldn't be more excited that the journey has just begun!
Matt Marr - Special Guest Teacher
A native of Saint John, New Brunswick, Matt Marr has come a considerably long way, starting off as a small town competitive dancer, to a thriving professional dancer based in Canada. Since his first performance at the age of three, Matt quickly became what would be considered a very well known dancer among his town for his great stage presence and instinctive performing abilities, captivating the hearts and souls of audience members. Matt immediately went on to collect a handful of titles, trophies, awards and scholarships including 'Junior Mister Dancer', 'Most Promising Dancer', '1st Place Junior Talent' in 'Model Talent Search Canada', the 'Full Year Convention Scholarship' at 'Tremaine Dance Competition' in New York, as well as numerous cash prizes and scholarships to Paris, Los Angeles and New York. Matt loves to share his journey and passion of dance with others and continues to give back through teaching as much as he can.
Since having moved to Toronto, Matt has been honored to work onstage and on-set with artists such as Deborah Cox, Shawn Desman, Fefe Dobson, Kreesha Turner, Aleesia, Jesse Labelle, Rich Kidd, Lil Twist and Tyler Medeiros to name a few. Matt has been fortunate enough to work for many industrial events including companies such as the Russell Peters Christmas Special, GMC and Bell in 'Bell Celebrity Gala', and has danced at many live events including Spring It On, Rally For Kids, Limitless, Bazaar, Dance Ontario Week, Pride, and Talent Defined. Matt has not stopped there, having also appeared at modelling events, walking the runway of 'Toronto's Alternative Fashion Week'. He bases his success on three essential elements: Determination, Dedication, and Drive.
Just this past summer, Matt made his way into the Top 3 of SYTYCDC Season 4, getting the opportunity to work with world-renowned choreographers including Luther Brown, Stacey Tookey, Steve Bolton, Sho-Tye, Melissa Williams, Sean Cheeseman, Sabrina Matthews, Maria Torres, Tony and Melanie, Sergio Trujillo, Blake McGrath, and Jean Marc Genereux. It was the experience of a lifetime, and an educational, motivational experience as well. You can now expect to find Matt working in the Toronto Entertainment Industry, and also spreading his love for dance all across Canada.
