T.O.P JUDGES 2024
Jodie Gates
is the founder and artistic director of the Laguna Dance Festival in Southern California; a professor of dance at UC Irvine; founding director and vice dean of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance; and artistic director of Cincinnati Ballet from August 2022 to September 2023.
Yuan Yuan Tan
Yuan Yuan Tan embarked on her ballet journey at Shanghai Dance School at 11, remarkably, she swiftly rose through the ranks, earning international acclaim with gold medals in prestigious competitions. Joining San Francisco Ballet at 18, Yuan Yuan Tan swiftly rose to prominence, becoming the company's youngest principal dancer just two years later. Notably, she holds the distinction of being both the first Chinese principal dancer and the longest-serving principal in the ballet company's illustrious 27-year history. Tan's illustrious career saw her as a marquee performer, excelling in iconic roles across classical and contemporary ballets. Beyond the stage, she graced the pages of renowned magazines and served as a brand ambassador for esteemed companies. Post-retirement from San Francisco Ballet in 2024, her legacy endures, marked by her final poignant portrayal in Frederic Ashton's "Marguerite and Armand."
Dawn S. Reese
CEO of The Wooden Floor.
Board of Directors, OC Music & Dance.
Dawn has been honored with the 2023 Empowering Lives Award by Templo Calvario, 2023 Sam Estes Award for Community Leadership by the Santa Ana Task Force, 2022 Orange County Visionary by the Los Angeles Times Orange County, and 2020 Women of Distinction Award from 34th CA Senate District.