Our Spotlight Performers are diversified, talented and motivated! They’ve got what it takes to build long careers in the entertainment industry... determination.

We look for people from different areas in the dance world to share a few stories and give us their insight on this crazy business! Watch for more from our Spotlights!

The show is fun because Ballroom dance is not the world of dance that I come from. I am from the Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, and Lyrical worlds of dance. I know dance as expression, as culture, and as entertainment. But in the ballroom world, dance is competitive and a socialization process. It's very interesting and I find the psychology behind it fascinating. Ballroom dance is about two people working together towards something meaningful. It's about glamour, it's about perfection, it's about winning on so many levels.

How were you chosen as a judge?

It's funny because I was actually already working on So You Think You Can Dance (FOX TV) with Nigel. I was choreographing the auditions across the country with my assistant at the time. I was called in to meet with the producers of DWTS and was offered a position as a judge on both shows. Ultimately, I chose DWTS which was a difficult decision for me because I had worked with Nigel Lithgoe on so many shows prior to that and I always feel a loyalty to people who give me opportunities. However, DWTS really reached into my heart. There was something so cute about the show. I followed my heart and chose DWTS.

Any behind the scene stories to share?

I have a great time with Len and Bruno. We have trailers on the lot but are sequestered away from all the dancers and celebrities to minimize our interaction with them. I like it that way. Once I had to go into the make up trailer before a results show because my makeup artist was unable to be there and can I just say it was very awkward.

There is a lot of love on our set. We genuinely like to be there. I can tell you from experience... over twenty years of working on television sets, that it is not always that way. There is a feeling of family at DWTS and I think that reads on screen and helps the show feel like a family show. We are a family....maybe a strange family, but a family.

How did you become so successful as a dancer?

I don't know if I'm successful, but I worked hard all my life. And I continue to work hard. I remember when I was 18, I still couldn't touch my toes. My high school dance teacher didn't really stress the technical side of dance. I had to work very hard to compete with these dancers who had incredible technique and stretch. But I loved to dance so much that there was no stopping me when the music came on. I danced with all of my heart and all of my soul, and I never took it for granted. You see, I never had a scholarship. No one forced me to take 5 classes a day. No one forced me to do anything. I paid for every class I ever took so it meant something to me. And I loved learning...and still do. Also, I always went back to basics. I would always take beginning classes when I could. Even when I was a working dancer. If the class that was available was a beginning class, I took it.

I developed myself as a dancer. I followed my heart. I never tried to be like anyone else. Some dancers were very light and graceful. I was always more athletic and sensual in my style. I used my assets and always tried to improve on my flaws. But I knew myself as a dancer and was honest with myself. I only went on auditions that seemed like they would be right for me. Fortunately, I made it through my whole dancing career getting most of the jobs that I auditioned for because I was careful about what I went to. I didn't get the Michael Jackson Tour, the Alma Awards, and the Janet Jackson Tour. I booked everything else. And when I didn't get Janet's tour, I booked Madonna's tour and eventually they called me to do Janet's tour because someone had dropped out. I of course, declined since I was on my dream job with Madonna.

I took classes all the time. A lot of "working dancers" stop dancing. I never understood that. After Fly Girl rehearsals, I went to dance classes. I never stopped learning. I remember when I first moved to California, I had been living in Japan for a few years and decided I wanted to go to CA to become a dancer. So I studied at UC Irvine as a choreography major. I learned some really great things about choreography, the history of dance, modern dance and post modern dance and dance theory. But I also wanted to dance...someone told me about a class I would like: Alex Magno's class so I took it. It was a 2.5 hour drive each way but I made that drive almost everyday so that I could study dance the way my heart told me I should. I would get back home to Irvine and my body would be so stiff sometimes I'd cry when I was getting out of the car. (Warm down's are important as well! ) But I'd get up and do it all again the next day. And I think all that dedication has paid off for me.

What advice would you give young dancers across the country about trying to "make it" as a dancer?

I think you have to work hard. But when you love what you do, that should not be so difficult. Dancing is a tough career choice. But what people must remember is that it is a career. And when you are booked for a job, it is a JOB. You have responsibilities. You should know your craft, know your unions, know the protocol, etc. You should be responsible and respectful of the art form and of the business of dance.

Dancers are special people. I think we are really special. Most dancers I know are extremely talented on many levels and go on to have incredible careers in other arenas as well. When I hire people I look for professionalism. Once in while you find some incredibly talented dancer with no experience and you give that person a shot.

I feel like people gave me opportunities for which I will always be grateful. But I took those opportunities and did the best I could with them. I always wanted the person who hired me to be proud and happy that they took that chance on me.

Also, I always tried to be better than what people expected of me. If they chose me to come to an audition based on the last job I did and the performance I did on that job, I would always try to surprise them with something more than that at the next audition. I never rested on my laurels. I figured that there is so much to experience, and so little time to do it all.

Who inspires you?

I am always inspired by people with handicaps. I think it's our "flaws" that make us beautiful. And our "flaws" are what will define us. It is how you cope with the difficult things in life that will define you in your life. It is easy to be nice and great when everything is going your way. But who are you when you are having a difficult time? How will you be when the going gets tough? I am inspired by those who are kind to others despite their own circumstances. I am inspired by those who always reach for their dreams no matter how tired they are. I am inspired by people that dare to be themselves...even when other's may laugh or misunderstand them. That takes courage. Life takes courage. Every day. We fall, and we must get up. Such is a dancer's life.

What do you like to do in your free time? That is if you have any!

In my free time, I like to read. I also write and I'm very interested in interior design. It's a lot like choreography. It's spacing and staging things for maximum effect. I LOVE THAT!

I also do a kick boxing class called Drench. It's great. Lately, I've been doing the stretching for the class after we are through. I will probably have a class soon where people who aren't dancers can learn how to stretch. Artem and I spend a lot of time just being quiet. I have been painting my home since I just bought it a few months ago. It's quite a process to own your own home. We are fixing up the back house to be a small dance studio and when that is finished, I will be dancing all the time back there! ALL THE TIME!

Watch this fall for a new ABC primetime TV series featuring Dancing With The Stars judges, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, as they battle it out to create the ultimate dance group. L.A. DanceMagic was called to submit dancers who were allowed to bypass the first audition and go directly to the call-backs!

Go to www.ladancemagic.com for updates on this great new show! Good luck to all!