MEET THE DIRECTOR
(Scroll down for the judges)
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 New York City schools, starting with George Connelly Dance Center, 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 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 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 recently, and happily, added substitute teaching 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. She enjoys keeping in touch with her past dance students, and her many colleagues on social media.
Janet trained at New York City schools, starting with George Connelly Dance Center, 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 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 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 recently, and happily, added substitute teaching 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. She enjoys keeping in touch with her past dance students, and her many colleagues on social media.
MEET THE JUDGES FOR 2024
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.
They are either currently teaching, or retired, but only the most brilliant teachers will be judging the dancers.
Blake A. Balathunis is a professional and award-winning choreographer, dance educator, and adjudicator from the Western Massachusetts area. He has over 15 years of dance training from a myriad of top-rated dance schools in Western Massachusetts and expert gymnastics experience from Chicopee Gymnastics.
During his high school years, Blake received the “3T” Triple Threat Award presented by his performing arts studio, which allowed him to perform in a one-week dance and theater summer intensive in Montgomery, Alabama, under the direction of Broadway star and film actress Tonea Stewert.
Blake is a graduate of Greenfield College with both a Certificate and Degree of the Arts in Dance. He continuously keeps expanding his knowledge of dance by attending and enrolling in multiple teacher training programs provided by organizations such as Dance Teacher Summit, Dance Educators of America, and CLI Studios. He later went on to become an assistant coach of his High School Gymnastics Team for several years.
During that time, Blake was simultaneously teaching dance at a performing arts middle school in Springfield, Massachusetts. Additionally, he was the competition director and choreographer of STAR Dance Studio.
Blake has many years of teaching experience at a plethora of dance schools across the country. He is also busy working as a regional and national judge, and convention teacher, for multiple dance competitions and intensives throughout the United States and Canada, such as the United States Tournament of Dance, CRU Dance National, and Star Dance Alliance.
We are very happy to have Blake judge for us, this season!
During his high school years, Blake received the “3T” Triple Threat Award presented by his performing arts studio, which allowed him to perform in a one-week dance and theater summer intensive in Montgomery, Alabama, under the direction of Broadway star and film actress Tonea Stewert.
Blake is a graduate of Greenfield College with both a Certificate and Degree of the Arts in Dance. He continuously keeps expanding his knowledge of dance by attending and enrolling in multiple teacher training programs provided by organizations such as Dance Teacher Summit, Dance Educators of America, and CLI Studios. He later went on to become an assistant coach of his High School Gymnastics Team for several years.
During that time, Blake was simultaneously teaching dance at a performing arts middle school in Springfield, Massachusetts. Additionally, he was the competition director and choreographer of STAR Dance Studio.
Blake has many years of teaching experience at a plethora of dance schools across the country. He is also busy working as a regional and national judge, and convention teacher, for multiple dance competitions and intensives throughout the United States and Canada, such as the United States Tournament of Dance, CRU Dance National, and Star Dance Alliance.
We are very happy to have Blake judge for us, this season!
Narissa Wescott is a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator with a BA in Dance from DeSales University in 2008 and trained at The University of the Arts from 2004-2006. Narissa also earned a level I teaching certification in dance (K-12) and is currently working on her level II certification and Masters in Dance Education at Temple University.
She is the dance director at Renaissance Charter Academy School in Phoenixville, PA and has been an instructor/choreographer at various studios, along with teaching master classes, workshops, and summer dance intensives throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Narissa has been a member of CoExist Dance Company, Fight Vixens Dance Team, and performed for five years with Philadelphia's jazz dance company, Project Moshen Dance Company, as well as a member of the Lehigh Valley Dance Exchange.
Narissa has taught in the Philadelphia district and at Arts Academy Charter Middle School in Allentown, PA. She has also been the Dance Advisor for Rêve Dance Company at Penn State.
She has performed, taught, and continued her training in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Daytona, Florida with Surfscape Dance Theatre, along with attending the Dance Teacher Summit in NYC. Narissa has also been a Pro dancer with “Dancing with our Future Stars”, an event raising money for Independent Mission schools in Philadelphia.
Not only is Narissa continuing to teach and choreograph, but also she is an adjudicator for various dance competitions such as New York State Dance Challenge, Elevate Dance Competition, True Dance Challenge, the Road to Broadway Mini Dance Competition, and DreamMaker National Talent Competition, where she was on “Dance Moms” Season 8 Episode 7.
Lastly, Narissa is the founder/artistic director and choreographer of Artistic Edge Dance Company, a versatile, professional dance company and she is the founder/director of Dance the Edge Dance Competition. Narissa is very passionate about her career and continuing the next generation of dancers in the dance community!
We are happy to have her return, once again, to judge for R2B
She is the dance director at Renaissance Charter Academy School in Phoenixville, PA and has been an instructor/choreographer at various studios, along with teaching master classes, workshops, and summer dance intensives throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Narissa has been a member of CoExist Dance Company, Fight Vixens Dance Team, and performed for five years with Philadelphia's jazz dance company, Project Moshen Dance Company, as well as a member of the Lehigh Valley Dance Exchange.
Narissa has taught in the Philadelphia district and at Arts Academy Charter Middle School in Allentown, PA. She has also been the Dance Advisor for Rêve Dance Company at Penn State.
She has performed, taught, and continued her training in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Daytona, Florida with Surfscape Dance Theatre, along with attending the Dance Teacher Summit in NYC. Narissa has also been a Pro dancer with “Dancing with our Future Stars”, an event raising money for Independent Mission schools in Philadelphia.
Not only is Narissa continuing to teach and choreograph, but also she is an adjudicator for various dance competitions such as New York State Dance Challenge, Elevate Dance Competition, True Dance Challenge, the Road to Broadway Mini Dance Competition, and DreamMaker National Talent Competition, where she was on “Dance Moms” Season 8 Episode 7.
Lastly, Narissa is the founder/artistic director and choreographer of Artistic Edge Dance Company, a versatile, professional dance company and she is the founder/director of Dance the Edge Dance Competition. Narissa is very passionate about her career and continuing the next generation of dancers in the dance community!
We are happy to have her return, once again, to judge for R2B
Fallon White, once a competitive dancer, has over 20 years experience on the competition scene as a competitor, choreographer and adjudicator. Professionally trained by Joey R. Smith, Penny Frank and Michelle Benash in NYC, Fallon received a strong technical foundation and developed an eye for proper technique and artistic ability.
After graduating, LaGuardia Performing Arts in NYC, Fallon worked on the commercial scene with various recording artists including, R&B group 702 and dancer recording artist Reina. In 2005 and 2006, Fallon, was commissioned to choreograph for WKTU’s Summer Beatstock shows at Jones Beach and PNC Bank Arts Center. She also traveled as an ambassador of dance to Beijing, China, in preparation for the 2008 Olympics.
Fallon has been interviewed and published in "Dance Spirit" magazine, as well as "Interview En l'air." You can read her expose with En l'air at www.interviewenlair.com/fallon-white
She is the owner and director of 2 studios, Danceworks Dance Center in Brooklyn, NY and Dance Works Center at Stanford Studios, in Howard Beach, Queens, NY. Her students and choreography continue to receive top honors on both a regional and national level.
Fallon’s goals as an instructor and mentor are to cultivate young artists with a passion for dance and life. Many of Fallon’s students have pursued a professional career in the dance field, dancing with the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Metropolitan Ballet at NYC, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and NY Jets Flight Crew.
We are happy to have her return, once again, to judge for R2B.
After graduating, LaGuardia Performing Arts in NYC, Fallon worked on the commercial scene with various recording artists including, R&B group 702 and dancer recording artist Reina. In 2005 and 2006, Fallon, was commissioned to choreograph for WKTU’s Summer Beatstock shows at Jones Beach and PNC Bank Arts Center. She also traveled as an ambassador of dance to Beijing, China, in preparation for the 2008 Olympics.
Fallon has been interviewed and published in "Dance Spirit" magazine, as well as "Interview En l'air." You can read her expose with En l'air at www.interviewenlair.com/fallon-white
She is the owner and director of 2 studios, Danceworks Dance Center in Brooklyn, NY and Dance Works Center at Stanford Studios, in Howard Beach, Queens, NY. Her students and choreography continue to receive top honors on both a regional and national level.
Fallon’s goals as an instructor and mentor are to cultivate young artists with a passion for dance and life. Many of Fallon’s students have pursued a professional career in the dance field, dancing with the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Metropolitan Ballet at NYC, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and NY Jets Flight Crew.
We are happy to have her return, once again, to judge for R2B.
OUR PHOTOGRAPHERS
R2B does not charge for performance photos.
They are included in our, already low, entry fee rate.
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STEVE PESTROCK PHOTOGRAPHY
Steve Pestrock has been R2B's photographer, since the 1st year, and the director's studio photographer, starting in 1993. www.pestrockphoto.com 
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THOMAS KAY PHOTOGRAPHY
Thomas joined us for the first time, in 2023 and we are thrilled to have another, wonderful photographer join 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 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 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 and 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 and breakdown and many other things that we could not live without! Without him, R2B could not happen.