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season 12 regional judges

In 2024 we continue to bring leading industry professionals to the New Zealand Dance Awards. Each adjudicator is a leader in their field. The New Zealand Dance Awards prides itself on the level of adjudicators but most of all educators that we bring to judge and further enhance the opportunities for our dancers all over New Zealand. More Judges to be added...

WELLINGTON & TAURANGA

MARLEY ROSE

Marley Rose is one of Australia’s most sought after young performers, widely recognised for her reputable work ethic, passion and attention to detail. After graduating from Village Nation in 2019 Marley went straight into an international contract in Dubai, UAE. Marley has since gone into working for many companies nationally and internationally. Marley Rose is no stranger to the Entertainment Industry. After being cast as the role of ‘Annie’ in the 2011 production of ‘Annie’ by Gordon Frost Organisation at just 11 years old. Some of Marley’s performance credits include Action Entertainment’s stunt show for the NSW Department of Education, Delta Goodrem’s Christmas Spectacular with channel 9, Artists In Motion’s ‘Stars In The Wild’ and ‘Harmony’, Marina Bay Sands ‘Food & Wine Festival Singapore’ and many more. Marley Rose’s award winning choreography and direction is frequently recognised throughout Australia and is frequently booked on corporate events nationally and internationally. Marley continue’s to show her passion and dedication throughout Australia and is Honoured to join the NZDA team to continue her passion into New Zealand.
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AUCKLAND & INVERCARGILL

JACQUI HOWARD

It is in the world of dance and choreography that Jacqui is well known and
most highly respected. As a commercial dancer from the 70’s to the late
90’s she was a part of most of Australia’s professional dance companies.
She later moved into Musical Theatre and her theatre credits include
Dancin’ Man and The Dirty Dancing tour (Original US cast). Jacqui also
appeared in Sweet Charity and performed the role of Graziella in the
Australian tour of West Side Story. During this time Jacqui was producing
and choreographing for her own company both Australia wide and
overseas.
She was also a sought after resident choreographer for films, commercials
and T.V Series.
Jacqui also had the privilege to work alongside such names as Frank
Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Tina Arena and Mickey Rooney at large scale
occasions such as the Logies, World Expo, the opening of Sanctuary Cove,
and numerous corporate events.
Jacqui’s choreography for McDonalds won an AST award for Best Visual
and Choreography, and her eye for talent was recognised when Baz
Luhrmann employed her as Casting Consultant on the feature film, Moulin
Rouge. Jacqui also choreographed Michael Caine in the movie the Quiet
American.
Jacqui has worked alongside many directors and choreographers of large
scale events including Kevin Jacobsen, Ric Birch, David Atkins and Doug
Jack. Some of these events were the closing ceremony of the Atlanta
Olympics and the opening and closing ceremonies of the Sydney Olympics
plus numerous Grand Final Football spectaculars.
As the founder and Artistic Director of Brent Street Studios from 1986 -
2010, Jacqui has been the driving force behind an Australian show
business phenomenon. Besides overseeing the tuition of over 10,000
students, Jacqui has also been instrumental in the formation of Australia’s
most successful dance and model agency. As a producer and
choreographer Jacqui has had the satisfaction of seeing her students
perform with a host of international and National stars such as Michael
Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Britney Spears, John Farnham and Tina Arena
just to name a few.
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NEW PLYMOUTH & DUNEDIN

DARREN DISNEY

Darren Disney is one of Dein Perry’s original Tap Dogs, he performed live around the world, 58
cities and all the way to Broadway New York. His high level of professional experience has
ranged from interview’s to television appearances and many castings in stage shows, he
performed in 42nd St, Me & My Girl, Mack & Mabel in concert. Toured with Tina Arena & The
Ramjets, Melissa & C+C Music Factory, Gimmie Five Dance Group and Belinda Carlisle.
Darren has also appeared in numerous Films including: Tap Dogs-Original Cast Live In London,
Melissa-Sexy Is The Word, Skin To Skin, Jo Beth Taylor-You Don’t own me, Mark Stevens-Cold
War and Toni Pearon-Walk Away Lover.
Darren Disney has extensive experience on Television including: Network Ten Pro-mo’s, Midday,
Hey Hey It’s Saturday, The Logies, Peoples Choice Awards, AFI Awards, ABC-Party Machine,

Denton, Today, Princes Trust Concert-Royal Albert Hall London, Blue Peter, Good Morning AUS-
UK-USA, Ellen De Generes-Sitcom, Jerry Lewis, Jay Leno, Ru Paul, MTV, NBC Today-London-
New York, Regis & Cathy Lee with Cindy Crawford, Just For Laughs-Gala-Montreal.

Choreographed major events including: The Super league Grand Final ‘Grease’ 20TH

Anniversary Starring Olivia Newton John, Jon Stevens & Gina Jeffries. The Gala Film Festival-
State Theatre Sydney. That’s Dancin’, Cathay Life Summit-Darling Harbour Convention Centre-
Dance Encore Productions.

Darren has been training & performing in dance since 7 years of age with original training with
Les Griffith and Tessa Maunder in Newcastle, Australia.
Darren has taught at Brent Street Studios, Sydney Dance Company, Danceworld, The McDonald
College, David Atkins Dynamite Studios and The Australian Tap Festival, many workshops.
Darren has adjudicated for the City of Sydney McDonalds Challenge, Showcase Dance
Championships and Final, The Ultimate Dance Finals, the Gold Coast Eisteddfod, the
Launceston Dance Festival, Get the Beat Gold Coast, Get the beat National Finals and Dancelife
Unite, The Ultimate Dance Spectacular & Dynamic dance challenge. Darren is an examiner for
Glenn Wood Tap.
Darren is currently the owner of D3 Darren Disney Dance at the Central Coast NSW and
provides intense training.​
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CHRISTCHURCH

DIANE LAURENSON

Diane Laurenson, a Fosse Veteran, has worked closely with Bob Fosse and Gwen
Verdon on FIVE companies of “Dancin’ “ (USA/Canada, Italy, Paris, Japan, London),
and on Broadway & National productions of “Sweet Charity” and “Big Deal”.
Additional Broadway credits include “Gypsy”, “Dangerous Games”, “The Little
Prince”, “Les Miserables”, “Robert Klein on Broadway” and National/International
Tours of “West Side Story” and “Anything Goes”.
In the USA, Diane has choreographed award-winning productions of “Chicago”,
“Little Shop of Horrors”, “Footloose”, “The Music Man”, “Beauty and the Beast”,
“West Side Story”, “Sweet Charity” and “Peter Pan”; and was Asst. Choreographer
on the 2 nd National Tour of “Bob Fosse’s Dancin’” and the TV Movie “Gypsy” starring
Bette Midler. Along with fellow Director/Choreographer Bob Richard, they have
premiered a new musical in Shanghai, China: “Shanghai Bund”; and “An American
Musical Theatre Dance Revue” with an all-Japanese cast in Tokyo, Japan. She is
excited about her upcoming contract as Associate Director/Choreographer for the
National US Tour of “Little Women” in 2024.
On Faculty for over 20 years at Broadway Dance Center/NYC and Steps on
Broadway/NYC, Diane is also Adjunct Faculty at NYU/Tisch, and teaches Master
Theatre Dance Classes world-wide (USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Japan, China,
Australia, New Zealand, France and Great Britain).
Within the Entertainment Industry, Diane has served as a Performer, Director,
Choreographer, Union Stagehand (Electrics & Sound), Dance Educator and Asst.
Company Manager! Her Career/Life Story can be found in the NY Public Library for
the Performing Arts/ Jerome Robbins Dance Division archives; interviewed by
renowned author Kevin Winkler (“Big Deal: Bob Fosse and Dance in the American
Musical”). She is a proud member of SDC, AEA, SAG/AFTRA, & IATSE (retired).
www.dianalaurenson.com Insta: @dlaurenson
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BOB RICHARD

BOB RICHARD (Choreographer) of the Broadway and tour productions of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! for the past 18 years. Off Broadway he directed and choreographed Inventing Mary Martin: The Revue of a Lifetime (Joe A. Callaway Award nomination) and The Road to Qatar. He has directed at North Shore Music Theatre, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, and Theatre By The Sea, including productions of Peter Pan, The Music Man, Beauty and the Beast, and Chicago, winning several awards. He has choreographed at The 5th Avenue Theatre, Theatre Under The Stars, and Pioneer Theatre Company, and internationally in Shanghai, Beijing, and Singapore. Mr. Richard’s television and film credits include “LazyTown,” “The Tonight Show,” “The Today Show,” “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” and the Big Apple Film Festival. He is also a guest master instructor at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. He has received a Footlight Award, Gypsy Rose Lee Award, Ivey Award, Ernie Award, and San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award. Mr. Richard’s career has encompassed dancing, teaching master classes worldwide, directing, and choreographing for over 41 years.
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