MONCTON ~ MARCH 19-22, 2026 ~ JUDGES
THE CENTRE ~ CASINO NB
MONCTON ~ MARCH 19-22, 2026 ~ JUDGES
THE CENTRE ~ CASINO NB
ROXANNE TACKIE
JUDGE
Roxanne is a Winnipeg-based dance educator and adjudicator with a lifelong passion for the performing arts. She began dancing at age 3 and trained extensively in ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, modern, and hip hop, completing examinations in ballet, jazz, and tap. As a competitive dancer, Roxanne performed across North America, including Minneapolis, New York, and Vancouver, earning numerous accolades, including “Best Rhythm Tapper.” Her professional credits include appearances in Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s The Miracle Worker and the opening ceremonies of the Pan Am Games.
Since discovering her love for teaching in 2005, Roxanne has worked with dancers of all ages in both recreational and competitive settings. She teaches in the competitive and pre professional programs at Shelley Shearer School of Dance, leads workshops across Canada, and is certified through the Tap Dance Centre’s teacher syllabus program. Her teaching emphasizes musicality, discipline, and a deep respect for the historical roots of the art form.
Roxanne is a Certified Adjudicator through the Dance Leadership Institute and adjudicates at competitions across Canada. She is committed to helping dancers develop confidence and artistry, while encouraging them to express themselves fully through the language of dance.
ALEXANDRA HERZOG
JUDGE
Alexandra is a sought-after director and choreographer in film, TV and theatre. She is the director and choreographer for the North American cast of Dirty Dancing in Concert, now doing its fourth 80+city tour! Recent projects include two seasons as choreographer for Apple TV’s See (staring Jason Momoa), and an upcoming film for 20th Century starring James Marsden and Vince Vaughn. She has also directed and choreographed Mary Poppins, Rock of Ages, Nine, Cinderella, A Chorus Line and the Little Mermaid. As a performer, Alexandra has danced in movies/tv such as Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure, Suits, and Make It Happen, and has played leads in many musicals across Canada and the US, including 5 seasons at the Stratford Festival. She is also a certified Dancer Mindset coach, helping dancers reach their potential by teaching them
mindset tools needed for success on stage!
TARA JEAN POPOWICH
JUDGE
Tara-Jean Popowich is most known for winning "So You Think You Can Dance" - Canada Season 2. Since the show she has been based out of NYC, LA, London, and India. During her time in NYC she was "Carly Rae Jepsen's" Choreographer and dancer seen on "Jimmy Fallon" and "Live with Kelly".
Tara-Jean is also seen in Pharrells music video "Happy", "Turn it up" and “Excel” American tour, "Groove Street productions" Canadian tour, choreographer for "So You Think You Can Dance" Ukraine. She was a pecial guest performer, choreographed and performed for Ballet Africa, IDS instructor in Madrid Spain, yearly performer with "SYTYCD" USA All-stars in China, and is 1 of 6 featured dancers in a feature film based in Scotland, with choreographer Stacey Tookey.
Recently TJ was living in India and made top 6 as the celebrity on "Dancing with the stars" Season 7.
TJ was named one of the "hottest top 12 convention teachers" in the U.S in “Dance Magazine”.
Tara-Jean is seen in Calvin klein's, "Dance in my calvin's" campaign. Also seen in Shanias “swinging with my eyes closed” video. She is an official judge for “world of dance” in Poland. As well as an official ambassador for “MOVE IT” the biggest dance event in the UK. 28,000 dancers from around the
world where she will be teaching, performing, autograph sessions, and photo sessions.
Recently Tara-Jean directed and choreographed for the famous hand to hand acrobat’s “Charolette an Nicolas” from France’s got talent. Receiving bronze at the biggest circus event in Monaco. Dancer for the famous brand “Brietling” seen dancing in this year’s New York fashion week. Star dancer and choreographer for the famous “Mary Kay” productions. Spot Tara-Jean dancing on FX hit TV show “What we do in the shadows”.
She is Director and creator of international dance convention “Human first, Dancer second”. A High-Performance Movement Experience. For dancers, performers, and high achievers. Train alongside top industry professionals while learning from:
-Neurologists
-Olympic Athletes
-Mental Performance Specialists
Master:
-Confidence under pressure
-Performance psychology
-Stress & anxiety regulation
-Identity beyond achievement
-Leadership through movement
@human1dancer2
@tarajeanpopowich
JUSTIN JACKSON
HOST
Justin Jackson is an award winning performing artist originally from Montreal with a career spanning over 20 years as a dancer, choreographer, judge, tv personality and emcee.
He landed his first feature role acting and dancing in the Caillou Television Show in 2001.
He was a TOP 40 finalist on the hit show So You Think You Can Dance Canada Season 3, A semi finalist on the most watched television show of all time America’s Got Talent Season 18, a recent contestant on Portugal Got Talent Season 10, And a semi finalist on Révolution Season 3.
He's been featured on The Wendy Williams Show in New York, The Jennifer Hudson Show in L.A, The International Jazz Festival and The Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, In the Fall campaign for Aldo Shoes, performed with Cirque Éloize (televised across Canada, Europe and all the French-speaking colonies in the world), The Vancouver Olympics, CTV, CP24, TVA, PBS Kids, Breakfast Television, Bell Media and Crave TV.
Primarily known as a tap dancer… but fun fact! — he’s professionally trained in Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Ballet. Throughout his career he’s made acting appearances in Working Moms, Umbrella Academy and No Sleep 'Til Christmas on Netflix and Disney Plus. Most recently he was on set for a Porter Airlines commercial.