meet the judges
Lori Murillo
Lori brings decades of dance expertise and leadership to our judging panel. A proud Dallas native, Lori’s journey began in both studio training and drill team, eventually leading her to Kilgore College where she became a Kilgore College Rangerette and served as Captain in 1994–1995. Her performance highlights include the 1994 World Cup Halftime Show and the Festival of Lights in Nice, France.
After Kilgore, Lori launched a dynamic career spanning studio instruction, team directing, and national choreography. She spent 12 years as a Senior Instructor for Starmakers Dance and was a key choreographer for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the AT&T Cotton Bowl Halftime Classic. She served as Assistant Director of the Sun Dancers at Westwood HS, Co-Director of the Southern Belles at South Garland HS, and Director of Vision Competition Dance Company at Dancers Workshop, where she still teaches today.
Lori is currently a full-time instructor at Dancers Workshop, a senior instructor for Encore Creative Dance Company, and continues to choreograph and adjudicate across the country. Her passion, professionalism, and legacy in dance education make her a valued part of our judging team.
Bryan smith
Bryan O’Shea Smith hails from Longview, Texas, where he launched his dance journey as a member of the LHS Viewettes dance/drill team. He enhanced his artistry and instructional skills at the prestigious Hartford Conservatory, graduating in 2007 with a Diploma in Dance Pedagogy and Dance Performance.
Following his formal training, Bryan carved out a dynamic performing career in the Northeast, dancing with multiple companies and presenting choreography both regionally and internationally, including engagements in France, Italy, Germany, and Belgium .On returning to Texas, he channeled his performance experience into education—teaching, choreographing for dance teams, and gaining accolades for his communication, technique, and stage presence.
Now based in Dallas, he continues to inspire dancers nationwide through freelance choreography, teaching, and adjudication. His international performance background, pedagogical expertise, and clear presentation style make him a compelling voice on our judging panel.
Roland Latson
A native of Houston, Texas, Roland Latson discovered his passion for dance at a young age and formally began training in high school at Robert E. Lee and Westside High School. He continued his education with the Houston Community College repertoire dance program, later joining the nationally ranked Treasures Dance Team at Blinn College, where he served as a lieutenant. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Dance from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in Dance Education from the University of Northern Colorado.
Roland has performed on some of the country’s biggest stages, including Showtime at The Apollo – On Tour, Super Bowl XXXVIII, and Will A Real Man Please Stand Up, starring Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child. He was also a featured member of the Acrodanse Dance Company under the direction of Michael Gary.
Now in his 14th year as a public-school dance educator, Roland continues to influence dancers at all levels. He has choreographed extensively for secondary and collegiate dance teams and currently serves as an assistant coach for the OLLU Saints Dance Team, whose routines compete at prestigious events including NDA Nationals, Dance Team Union Invitational, and NAIA's Battle in the Big Easy. He has served on staff with Universal Dance Association, ShowTime International, and was a panelist for the 2022 TDEA Convention.
Roland is excited to return to the judging panel and share in the talent of Texas dancers. “The dancers in the Austin and surrounding metroplex are insanely talented,” he says. “I’m excited to see what these student-athletes will display this year!”
Leti Espinosa
Leti Espinosa was raised in McAllen, TX, where she trained at an award-winning studio and was a member of her high school’s nationally recognized dance team. She went on to attend The University of Texas at Austin, where she danced for the UT Dance Team and served as an NDA Instructor while also performing for the Austin Spurs NBA Development Team.
After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Leti pursued her master’s degree at The University of Texas at Arlington. While in graduate school, she became the head coach of the UTA Dance Team. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of Spirit Groups at UTA, overseeing the dance team, cheer, mascots, and Wranglers.
Leti danced professionally with the Texas Legends Dance Team and was a member of the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm & Blue Dancers, the NFL’s only hip hop dance team at the time. She has performed at the NBA All-Star Game, multiple NFL halftime shows, and alongside artists including Dorrough and Meghan Trainor. She is now one of the directors for the Texas Legends Dancers and teaches hip hop at Next Step Dance in Frisco, TX.
Desiree Kostelnik
Desiree Kostelnik is a proud graduate of Texas State University, where she earned her BFA in Performance and Choreography. While at Texas State, she was a member of the world-famous Texas State Strutters and Merge Dance Company, gaining strong foundations in both performance and concert work.
She furthered her training in New York City through the Summer Professional Semesters at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. After graduation, Desiree began her professional career performing aboard Holland America Line cruise ships, completing six international tours. She also danced professionally with RWS Entertainment Group in NYC, combining technical skill with show-stopping performance on stages around the world.
Now back on land, Desiree is dedicating her next chapter to developing young artists and pre-professional dancers. Her experience both on stage and in the studio makes her an inspiring and knowledgeable addition to our judging panel.
Erika Agrait
Erika Agrait began pursuing dance in middle school in Round Rock, Texas, where she became Captain for the CDF Steppers. In high school, she danced for the Round Rock Dragonettes- under the direction of Jon Fisher and served as a Major her senior year. She was also on the Jazz Elite team & the Dance Guard.
In college, Erika danced 4 years for the Texas State Strutters and was Lieutenant her junior & senior years. As a Strutter, she earned several Academic Athlete awards as well as “Who’s Who within Colleges & Universities.” She completed her Bachelor’s of Science in Dance in 2003 and was part of the first graduating class of Texas State - formerly known as Southwest Texas. Following college graduation, Erika went on to dance for several AFL, IFL and NFL teams in McAllen & Houston, TX.
Erika is married to a retired Army Officer and has 2 children, ages 13 & 17. Over the last 15 years, she has taught dance at North Shore Senior High School in Houston; Holmes High School in San Antonio; East Austin College Prep in Austin and now Connally High School in Pflugerville. Under her direction, her dance teams have won many awards including state and national titles.
It is her honor and privilege to serve the Stars Dance Team at Connally High school and finds much pride in helping them grow into strong dancers and members of the community. She believes it is her duty to provide a fulfilling yet challenging experience for her dancers so that they are prepared for college and adulthood.
Roxy gage
With over 30 years of experience in the dance industry, Roxanne Gage is a celebrated educator, choreographer, performer, and adjudicator. She holds a BA in Dance from The University of Texas at Austin and an Associate of Fine Arts from Kilgore College, where she was both a Rangerette Lieutenant and Swingster. Her directing career began at Austin High School and has since expanded to the collegiate level, where she currently serves on the dance faculty at Austin Community College and in the Theatre and Dance Department at Texas State University.
Roxanne is a passionate advocate for the arts, serving on the board of directors for the Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company and producing the Youth Edition of the Austin Dance Festival. She is also a current company member of Blue Lapis Light Aerial Dance Company, performing in breathtaking site-specific works.
Her professional choreography credits include major events like the Blanton Museum of Art’s Warhol exhibition, the Rodan + Fields World Convention, the Essential Oils Convention, and Texas CASA. She has worked in film and television, assisting with auditions and choreography for Miss Congeniality and choreographing for HBO’s Love and Death.
Roxanne has judged at the USASF Dance World Championships and continues to adjudicate for TDEA through the Dance Education Assessment and Learning team. Her approach is rooted in creating an encouraging and challenging environment where dancers can push beyond their perceived limits. We are honored to have her on our judging panel.
claribella reeve
Claribella Reeve is a dynamic choreographer and performer based in Central Texas. With experience across competitive, commercial, and collegiate dance settings, she brings a versatile and creative perspective to every stage she touches. She currently teaches weekly classes at Dance Austin Studio and serves on faculty for Showmakers of America.
Claribella has choreographed for multiple national championship-winning teams, including MANation’s Hip Hop and Officer Jazz routines. Her choreography has been featured in halftime performances for the San Antonio Spurs, TEDxUT Austin’s How & Why Conference, and numerous college showcases throughout Texas. She has also performed in commercial concept videos, music projects, and live artist collaborations, with credits including Pixie Tomacruz, Mobley, and Prelude Set.
Claribella specializes in Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Heels, and continues to share her passion through Clarity Intensive, a training platform she founded to support developing dancers.
Holley Owens Windle
Holley Owens Windle’s journey in dance began at age four at Taylor Dance Studio in Nederland, Texas, under the guidance of Annabelle Taylor Stansbury. From the moment she entered the studio, she was captivated, and dance became not just a passion but a defining part of her identity. By age eight, she was competing and attending conventions where she trained with world-renowned choreographers who expanded her artistic vocabulary and ignited her love for performance.
As a teenager, Holley spent her summers in Los Angeles, California, immersing herself in the vibrant West Coast dance scene. Los Angeles became her “home away from home,” where she honed her technique, explored diverse styles, and built lasting connections within the professional dance community. This seasonal pilgrimage continued for over two decades and shaped her into a versatile and deeply committed artist.
After graduating from high school, Holley attended Kilgore College, where she performed nationally and internationally as a member of the world-renowned Kilgore College Rangerettes. She was also a standout member of the elite jazz troupe, Swingsters, further refining her performance skills and leadership abilities. Holley continued her formal training at Southern Methodist University’s prestigious Meadows School of the Arts, studying under esteemed faculty such as Tanju Tuzer, Karen Kriete, Joe Orlando, Bob Beard, and Nathan Montoya. While at SMU, she contributed original choreography to the “Brown Bag” student showcase and performed in productions such as “The Hope Show,” demonstrating her creative voice and commitment to collaborative artistry.
Holley earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Houston while balancing her academic pursuits with a thriving professional dance career. From 1997 to 2002, she danced with the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, performing in a wide range of acclaimed productions including Jazz in AZ, Choreographers × 6, The Fringe Festival, Triple Focus, The Miller Outdoor Theatre’s 75th Gala, The Texas Contemporary Series, The Black Artist Dance Festival, The Kaplan Theatre’s Twentieth Anniversary Celebration, The Dallas Morning News Dance Festival, and The Debra Duncan Show. Her repertoire includes works by celebrated choreographers such as Kevin Wynn, Sean Kelly, Martha Kelly-Fiorre, Mario Zambrano, Liz Imperio, Malaya, Eddy O’Campo, and Pattie Obey, each of whom contributed to her dynamic and expressive style.
In 2003, Holley fulfilled a lifelong dream by co-founding STUDIO 03 in Sugar Land, Texas, with her sisters Trisha and Kourtney. The studio quickly became a beloved space for aspiring dancers to grow both artistically and personally under Holley’s mentorship. In 2011, the trio launched THE BEAT, a Texas-based dance convention designed to bring high-caliber training and inspiration to dancers across the region. Holley’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to education have touched countless lives, fostering a legacy of excellence and empowerment.
Over her 45-year journey, Holley has trained, performed, choreographed, and taught at studios, companies, and colleges across the United States. She is known for her passionate instruction and her ability to connect deeply with her students. Sharing these experiences with her sisters has been one of the most meaningful aspects of her career, blending family, artistry, and purpose into every endeavor.
Today, Holley resides in Liberty Hill, Texas, with her husband, Brandon, and their 13-year-old son, Blake. Her life continues to be a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the joy of inspiring others through movement