Our 2021 Adjudicators!
Angela-Rae Murdoch
Angela is a third generation Dancer/ Teacher and Choreographer taught by her grandmother and mother starting as soon as she could walk. People often ask her what her favourite “Style of Dance” is, but after 30+ years of training in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre she finds it impossible to decide.
Angela-Rae Murdoch is a graduate of the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts', Triple Threat Conservatory in Toronto ON. She has performed in Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Mexico and various North American cities as a Singer, Dancer, Actress and Comedienne. After touring the Caribbean while dancing for Carnival Cruise Lines, Angela was chosen as one of the top eight comedians in Canada to compete for the title of Second City's Next comedy Legend on the CBC television network. In 2012 she starred in the short film Pink & Green which was shown at the world renowned Cannes Film Festival. And she is very proud to have performed in the Calgary International Improv Festival alongside Improvisers from around the globe. Along with instructing hundreds of students in the Calgary area on a day to day basis: Angela is grateful to have been the Artistic Director of a not for profit performance troupe that gives Dancer’s from across Alberta the opportunity to perform around the Globe called the Calgary Dance Express. Currently Angela is developing and instructing a Mindfulness Program specifically generated for Dancers. Her intention is to spread a sense of personal and societal empathy, kindness and positive esteem on to Dancers and Dance Educators around the globe. Currently in her twenty fourth year as a dance educator, Angela is consistently astounded by the effort and dedication put forth by all of the dancers she has the privilege of meeting. She is so excited to be here and wishes all of the competitors luck! |
Sherri Urkow
Sherri Urkow received her training in London, U.K at the Ivy Baker School of Dance, Grandison College and Bush-Davies, under some of Britain’s top instructors. She holds her Licentiate and Associate Teaching Diplomas in Classical ballet, Modern Theatre and Tap. And also holds major examinations in National, Classical Greek, Ballroom and Drama. She has also trained extensively in Musical Theatre, lyrical, modern & contemporary. Sherri appeared in the Oscar winning movie “Oliver”, as well as various theatre productions,including “Carousel”, “Camelot” and “Under Milk Wood” to name a few and has performed for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret at the Royal Albert Hall. She has performed extensively with top names in the British entertainment industry. After a successful professional career, she taught at all 3 of her former schools and in 1975, accepted the position of Senior instructor at the St.Albert School of Dance, Alberta, where she taught for 18 years, eventually becoming Artistic Director. In 1993, she opened her own studio, The Art of Dance in St.Albert and also founded the Stardust Dance Company, a semi-professional group, whom have performed world-wide.She has won numerous awards as a choreographer and has choreographed for many functions, including the Alberta Winter games, the Opening of the Special Olympics, the Senior Winter games, Legends Gala and a special performance for the Premier of Alberta.
Sherri’s students have gone onto prolific careers in dance, including Chicago’s Hubbard St, Azure Barton & Artists, Les Ballet Jazz du Montreal, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, Cirque du Soleil, Princess, Disney, Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruiselines.A firm believer in giving back to the community, her students performed regularly at local functions and special charity and fund-raising events. Sherri has been a member of the Alberta Dance Educators Association and served in all of their executive positions, as well as serving on various cultural boards. She won the Mayors Excellence in Teaching of the Arts Award, as well as Small Business of the year. Sherri decided to close her studio in 2013 to focus on other projects and family. She is still in great demand as an adjudicator, judging competitions and festivals across Canada as well as a freelance choreographer and guest instructor and is looking forward to being part of this event. She wishes all participants good luck and remember to have fun! |
Kerri Neitsch, B.Ed.
Kerri has been teaching Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre at various studios, in and around the Edmonton area, for over 25 years. She has choreographed such musicals as “The Wild Flowering of Chastity,” “The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf,” “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Grease," “Wizard of Oz”, “The Wiz, “Alice in Wonderland”, “Once Upon A Time” and “Annie”. Kerri was an Assistant Choreographer for the 2001 World Track and field Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the 2002 Grey Cup Half Time Show in Edmonton and the 2005 World Masters Opening and Closing Ceremonies. As well, Kerri has also coached the Victoria School Junior High Cheerleading Team, choreographed the Nellie McClung Jr. High Pom team and has auditioned dancers and cheerleaders for the Edmonton Eskimos Cheer Team.
For almost 30 years, Kerri has enjoyed both a career as a dance studio teacher, as well as a dance education specialist with Edmonton School Division. Her International Baccalaureate training, in the area of dance, has taken her around the world to obtain a global dance perspective. She has been honored in a variety of capacities; for choreography, for dance education advancement and for excellence in teaching. In 2000, she was chosen as a “Favourite Teacher” by Sylvan Learning Centre and was one of ten finalists for The Edwin Parr Teacher Award for Exemplary First Year Teaching Performance. She was also chosen as a “Favourite Teacher” by CBC RadioOne and Albert’s Family Restaurant, which led to the filming of a commercial to promote the contest. In 2002, she was hired as a Leadership Team Member to open George P. Nicholson Elementary School and in 2010, opened Edmonton Public’s newest high school, Lillian Osborne. In 2011, Kerri was commissioned by Alberta Education to create a High School Completion Flashmob at Edmonton Center, incorporating over 200 dance students from a variety of Edmonton Public Schools. In 2015, she was honored with a “Teaching in Excellence” award, given to only 20 teachers in the province of Alberta, by Alberta Education, each year. After having taught in the Dance Programs at Victoria School, the University of Alberta, Vimy Ridge Academy, and Lillian Osborne High School, Kerri moved on to the district level as a K-12 Arts Consultant with Edmonton School Division. She co-wrote all K-12 locally developed dance curriculum used by ESD and acquired throughout the province. She currently is working for Alberta Education to develop K-12 Arts Education Provincial Curriculum, specifically in the area of dance. Each spring, Kerri enjoys adjudicating various competitions and festivals across Canada. Kerri is thrilled to join the Dance Jam panel for it’s 2021 season! Best wishes to all the dancers! |