MEET THE DIRECTOR
(Scroll down for the judges & other staff)
Janet LaCava resides in Pennsylvania but was born in and lived in New York City until 1992. She began teaching dance in 1973.
Janet trained at NYC schools, starting with George Connelly Dance Center, (the owners established the United States Tournament of Dance), in Queens with ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics and ballroom. She was a 1969, full scholarship recipient to the Joffrey Ballet School (then called the American Ballet Center for the Joffrey Ballet), Janet also attended Phil Black's Dance Studio, Broadway Dance Center, and other NYC schools.
Many of her students have, or had, careers in major ballet companies, professional theater, television, theme parks, cruise ships, Radio City Music Hall, Las Vegas, and other dance venues, as well as dance teachers, studio owners and choreographers. Many of her students have graduated from Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, and The High School of Performing Arts, now known as Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art & Performing Arts. Additionally, they have attended, top college dance programs including The Julliard School, N.Y. University Tisch School of the Arts, Point Park University, and University of the Arts.
Ms. LaCava performed professionally in night clubs, musical theater, and special events for major New York professional sports teams, on television, for the armed forces, plus has choreographed for regional ballet companies, theater productions and competitions, and winning several choreography awards at national dance competitions.
Janet ran her own successful dance academy, for several years, before retiring from studio ownership, after which she continued to teach dance at area dance schools.
She was a member of Dance Educators of America, and a past guest instructor for National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts, Inc. (NADAA), In the past she founded and organized The Road to Broadway Talent Competition, and the Road to Broadway Pageants.
Additionally, Janet had worked as a stage manager for dance performances for dance schools and other charitable dance events, and judged for many, regional and national competitions in the USA, and Canada. Ms. LaCava has years of experience as an amateur competitor in ballroom, and performing arts dance competitions, winning many awards in the USA and the UK. such as in the Blackpool Dance Festival, as a member of the 1973 USA Formation Team.
Additionally, Janet has written columns and articles on dance for newspapers and dance periodicals and magazines, is the former Vice President of Dancers for Dimes, a dance performance charity event to raise funds for the March of Dimes, and a past board member, Vice President, and later President, for the Arts Academy Elementary Charter School.
Janet happily added teaching, in 2024, at the Pottstown Dance Theatre in addition to enjoying traveling with her husband, running the Road to Broadway Mini Dance Competition, spending time with family and amateur, nature photography. She is happily married, since 1975 and a proud parent and grandparent of two. She enjoys keeping in touch with her past dance students, and her many colleagues on social media.
Janet trained at NYC schools, starting with George Connelly Dance Center, (the owners established the United States Tournament of Dance), in Queens with ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics and ballroom. She was a 1969, full scholarship recipient to the Joffrey Ballet School (then called the American Ballet Center for the Joffrey Ballet), Janet also attended Phil Black's Dance Studio, Broadway Dance Center, and other NYC schools.
Many of her students have, or had, careers in major ballet companies, professional theater, television, theme parks, cruise ships, Radio City Music Hall, Las Vegas, and other dance venues, as well as dance teachers, studio owners and choreographers. Many of her students have graduated from Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, and The High School of Performing Arts, now known as Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art & Performing Arts. Additionally, they have attended, top college dance programs including The Julliard School, N.Y. University Tisch School of the Arts, Point Park University, and University of the Arts.
Ms. LaCava performed professionally in night clubs, musical theater, and special events for major New York professional sports teams, on television, for the armed forces, plus has choreographed for regional ballet companies, theater productions and competitions, and winning several choreography awards at national dance competitions.
Janet ran her own successful dance academy, for several years, before retiring from studio ownership, after which she continued to teach dance at area dance schools.
She was a member of Dance Educators of America, and a past guest instructor for National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts, Inc. (NADAA), In the past she founded and organized The Road to Broadway Talent Competition, and the Road to Broadway Pageants.
Additionally, Janet had worked as a stage manager for dance performances for dance schools and other charitable dance events, and judged for many, regional and national competitions in the USA, and Canada. Ms. LaCava has years of experience as an amateur competitor in ballroom, and performing arts dance competitions, winning many awards in the USA and the UK. such as in the Blackpool Dance Festival, as a member of the 1973 USA Formation Team.
Additionally, Janet has written columns and articles on dance for newspapers and dance periodicals and magazines, is the former Vice President of Dancers for Dimes, a dance performance charity event to raise funds for the March of Dimes, and a past board member, Vice President, and later President, for the Arts Academy Elementary Charter School.
Janet happily added teaching, in 2024, at the Pottstown Dance Theatre in addition to enjoying traveling with her husband, running the Road to Broadway Mini Dance Competition, spending time with family and amateur, nature photography. She is happily married, since 1975 and a proud parent and grandparent of two. She enjoys keeping in touch with her past dance students, and her many colleagues on social media.
MEET THE JUDGES FOR 2026
Our judges are always dance educators with immense experience in teaching multiple disciplines.
They are either currently teaching, or retired, but only the most brilliant teachers will be judging the dancers at R2B.
They are either currently teaching, or retired, but only the most brilliant teachers will be judging the dancers at R2B.
Erika Speer has judged for us, several times, and is now a permanent judge for us, each year, because the feedback on her judging, over the years, has always been so positive, from studios and students.
She is a teacher and choreographer for many dance studios around the Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey area. After graduating from Brentwood High School, Erika moved to Philadelphia where she received her BFA in Dance Education from the University of the Arts.
She had the opportunity to receive instruction and take the stage with LaVaughn Robinson and Germaine Ingram. Her choreography has won high accolades, special awards and title winnings in many competition platforms.
Erika’s varied dance training affords her expertise experience in Ballet, Modern, Tap and Jazz and allows her to teach students of all ages in every genre of dance. Erika is a certified Level 1 and 2 tap teacher through the ITAP Program and currently teaches at Pennsylvania Leadership Charter school for the Performing Arts and hopes that her love and passion for dance will inspire others to pursue their dreams as well.
Erika’s dynamic and well-rounded experience and teaching styles allows her to teach students of all ages, preschool to adult, in almost every dance genre. Erika's love and passion for dance is evident in her day-to-day life as she continually seeks ways to further her own dance education and that of her students.
She is a teacher and choreographer for many dance studios around the Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey area. After graduating from Brentwood High School, Erika moved to Philadelphia where she received her BFA in Dance Education from the University of the Arts.
She had the opportunity to receive instruction and take the stage with LaVaughn Robinson and Germaine Ingram. Her choreography has won high accolades, special awards and title winnings in many competition platforms.
Erika’s varied dance training affords her expertise experience in Ballet, Modern, Tap and Jazz and allows her to teach students of all ages in every genre of dance. Erika is a certified Level 1 and 2 tap teacher through the ITAP Program and currently teaches at Pennsylvania Leadership Charter school for the Performing Arts and hopes that her love and passion for dance will inspire others to pursue their dreams as well.
Erika’s dynamic and well-rounded experience and teaching styles allows her to teach students of all ages, preschool to adult, in almost every dance genre. Erika's love and passion for dance is evident in her day-to-day life as she continually seeks ways to further her own dance education and that of her students.
Bilal Simpson from Charlotte, North Carolina native began dancing at the age of 10 at Fletcher School of Ballet, BB Dance Productions, and Miss Donna's School of Dance. At the age of 16 Bilal began to dance professionally with the NBA Hornets and the WNBA Sting.
Shortly after he graduated from Northwest High School of the Arts, he began his journey of instruction teaching at BB Dance Productions, Miss Donna's School of Dance and Academy of Dance and Fine Arts. In 2005 Bilal moved to Philadelphia, PA to attend University of the Arts for Dance Education.
From 2009, until current, Bilal has taught and worked with several studios throughout the east coast, BB Dance Productions; The Dance Depot; Main Line Dance Company; Jasmin Yahne School of Dance; Debra Sparks Danceworks; Dance Artistry Center; Dance Institute of Philadelphia; Xperience Dance Company; Denise Gucwa School of Dance; Start A Movement; ZZ Dance; Angela Bates Dance Academy; Kicks Academy of Dance, just to name a few.
Additionally, in 2009 Bilal joined Grace Dance Theater, as a principal dancer and also became a resident choreographer for the three company levels. Bilal also works with competition organizations as a judge/adjudicator, choreographer for opening number as well as a master instructor.
Bilal's work has won several 1st Overall and Choreography Awards, and an IDA Nominee. Bilal has had the opportunity to receive instruction from prestigious choreographers and artists such as Dale Lamb, Dee Caspary, Scott Jovovich, Eva Szabos, Wayne St David, Molly Misgalla, Kim Bears-Bailey, and Roni Koresh.
Shortly after he graduated from Northwest High School of the Arts, he began his journey of instruction teaching at BB Dance Productions, Miss Donna's School of Dance and Academy of Dance and Fine Arts. In 2005 Bilal moved to Philadelphia, PA to attend University of the Arts for Dance Education.
From 2009, until current, Bilal has taught and worked with several studios throughout the east coast, BB Dance Productions; The Dance Depot; Main Line Dance Company; Jasmin Yahne School of Dance; Debra Sparks Danceworks; Dance Artistry Center; Dance Institute of Philadelphia; Xperience Dance Company; Denise Gucwa School of Dance; Start A Movement; ZZ Dance; Angela Bates Dance Academy; Kicks Academy of Dance, just to name a few.
Additionally, in 2009 Bilal joined Grace Dance Theater, as a principal dancer and also became a resident choreographer for the three company levels. Bilal also works with competition organizations as a judge/adjudicator, choreographer for opening number as well as a master instructor.
Bilal's work has won several 1st Overall and Choreography Awards, and an IDA Nominee. Bilal has had the opportunity to receive instruction from prestigious choreographers and artists such as Dale Lamb, Dee Caspary, Scott Jovovich, Eva Szabos, Wayne St David, Molly Misgalla, Kim Bears-Bailey, and Roni Koresh.
Marissa Anuzelli began her dance training at LeRoux School of Dance in Royersford, PA when she was three years old. There, she studied various styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, musical theater, and lyrical/contemporary. She was also part of the LeRoux Steppers competition team for three years.
She graduated from Eastern University with a BA in psychology and a minor in dance. While at Eastern, she studied dance under Michelle Jones Wurtz and was introduced to even more styles such as African and Modern.
She has performed as part of Dance the World in Disney World and has also participated in the Big Apple Tap Festival.
She has also been part of numerous shows such as The Nutcracker, Philly Nutt Crak-Up with ContempraDANCE Theatre, and Jazzerella with Mélange Contemporary Dance Company.
She currently studying for her Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Immaculata University.
She graduated from Eastern University with a BA in psychology and a minor in dance. While at Eastern, she studied dance under Michelle Jones Wurtz and was introduced to even more styles such as African and Modern.
She has performed as part of Dance the World in Disney World and has also participated in the Big Apple Tap Festival.
She has also been part of numerous shows such as The Nutcracker, Philly Nutt Crak-Up with ContempraDANCE Theatre, and Jazzerella with Mélange Contemporary Dance Company.
She currently studying for her Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Immaculata University.
OUR PHOTOGRAPHERS
R2B does not charge for performance photos.
They are included in our, already low, entry fee rate.
STEVE PESTROCK PHOTOGRAPHY
Steve Pestrock has been the director's photographer, starting in 1994. www.pestrockphoto.com 
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THOMAS KAY PHOTOGRAPHY
Thomas joined us for the first time, in 2023 and he is wonderful photographer for our team. www.thomaskayphotography.com 
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OUR DISC JOCKEY
We added the wonderful DJ, Russell Tolson, to our staff, in 2023. Russell has been doing disc jockey work, with his company, Sound Factor Pro DJs, since his teen years and makes our competition more enjoyable.
We added the wonderful DJ, Russell Tolson, to our staff, in 2023. Russell has been doing disc jockey work, with his company, Sound Factor Pro DJs, since his teen years and makes our competition more enjoyable.
OUR TABULATOR
Logan McDonald has been our tabulator since our first year. A highly degreed IT man,
and college professor, he not only does our tabulation but works on set up, breakdown and many other things that we could not live without! Without him, R2B could not happen.
Logan McDonald has been our tabulator since our first year. A highly degreed IT man,
and college professor, he not only does our tabulation but works on set up, breakdown and many other things that we could not live without! Without him, R2B could not happen.
Maintenance
Charles Longacre does the maintenance of facility during the competition, plus he helps with set up and clean up.
Tabulator's Assistant
Danielle Longacre assists our tabulator, plus she helps with set up and clean up.
R2B could not function without them!
Charles Longacre does the maintenance of facility during the competition, plus he helps with set up and clean up.
Tabulator's Assistant
Danielle Longacre assists our tabulator, plus she helps with set up and clean up.
R2B could not function without them!
Receptionists
Megan Reyes and Rory LaCava are our receptionists who also help with set up and clean up.
R2B is so thankful for their work and could not run without them!
Megan Reyes and Rory LaCava are our receptionists who also help with set up and clean up.
R2B is so thankful for their work and could not run without them!