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IAF JUDGES

Alysson Rocha

Ballett Dortmund (Germany)
First Ballet Master

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Alysson was a finalist at the YAGP in 2005 and received a scholarship to study at the San Francisco Ballet School. He later worked at the Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro, performing classical repertoire from renowned choreographers such as Yelena Pankova, Sir Peter Wright, Enrique Martinez, and Dalal Achcar. From 2011-2013, he was coached by Pedro Kraszczuk and Cecilia Kerche, and concurrently served as the choreographer and artistic coordinator of "Dançar a Vida Youth Company" in Rio de Janeiro. 

 

In 2013, he joined Ballett Dortmund in Germany, creating roles alongside his director Xin Peng Wang and performing pieces from William Forsythe, Alexander Ekman, Jiri Bubenicek, and Demis Volpi.

 

Recognized for his creative work, Alysson won the "Dortmunder Löwe 2019" prize for his "Silent Orchestra" dance/music project. He was later appointed as the First Ballet Master with Ballett Dortmund, where he assists and preserves the pieces from Ballett Dortmund's director, Alexander Ekman, William Forsythe, and other renowned choreographers.


Alysson was invited as a Teacher and at the YAGP Final in 2022. He was also invited by Prof. Dr. Alkis Raftis to become a member of the International Dance Council of UNESCO. Alysson's extensive experience and dedication to the art of dance make him a valuable asset in his role as an international teacher and judge.

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Baptiste Bourgougnon

London Contemporary Dance School
Director of Undergraduate Programmes and International Development

Baptiste graduated at the National Conservatoire in Paris in 2000. His career began in Norway with Nye Carte Blanche before returning to France where he worked with Luc Petton and Gilles Schamber. In 2002 he joined Scottish Dance Theatre and worked with various choreographers such as Ruy Horta, Didi Veldman, Hofesh Shechter, Janet Smith, Willi Dorner. From 2006 Baptiste freelanced and worked with different companies such as Compagnie Maryse Delente, Ballet Lorent, Acronote, State Of Flux, Company Chameleon and Kieran Sheehan Dance Theatre. Baptiste has been teaching release and floorwork at the London Contemporary Dance School at The Place since 2012 and became Director of Undergraduate Performance and International Development in 2019.

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Claresta Alim

Marlupi Dance Academy (Full-Time program) (Indonesia)
Director of Performing Arts

International judge and ballet teacher. Ms Claresta started her training at Marlupi Dance Academy (MDA), she joined Beijing Dance Academy in 2008, at the same time she received a scholarship from Joffrey Ballet School and was also accepted to American Ballet Theatre Summer Session in the USA. 

She began her professional career with Washington Ballet School and Art Ballet Theatre of Florida. During the time she has performed in many roles including Issaev's Harlequinade, Fairy Doll, Le Corsaire, Raymonda, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Little Mermaid in Ballet, Shostakovich (3 Movements), Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin and Edgar Anindo's Fragmentos.

Ms Claresta has groomed many students to international recognition, including being the first Indonesian to be invited to Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and winning GOLD MEDAL at the YAGP New York Finals.

 

Her students have not only won numerous awards in international competitions but also received scholarships to the Royal Ballet School, The Australian Ballet School (full scholarship for the year programme), Princesse Grace Dance Academy, Houston Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Universal Ballet, The Rock School, etc. 

Ms Claresta is also a well-known international ballet teacher, she has been invited to teach Master classes in the United States, Poland, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Many students from all over the world also came and took classes with Ms Claresta and benefited greatly from her coaching.

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Han Kee Juan

Singapore Ballet Academy
Principal

Mr. Han, an esteemed international judge, holds a prominent position as an adjudicator for prestigious events, including the Youth America Grand Prix, Jackson IV and V USA International Ballet Competition. His co-founding of the American Ballet Competition underscores his pivotal role in discovering and nurturing emerging talents on the global dance stage.
 

In addition to his illustrious judging career, Mr. Han has had a remarkable trajectory in teaching and leading dance institutions. He served as the Director of the Washington School of Ballet, Director at the Arizona Ballet School and the Arizona School for the Arts, Dance Program, and held the position of Principal teacher at Ballet Arizona. His role as faculty at the North Carolina School of the Arts further showcased his dedication to shaping the future of dance through education and innovative competitions.
 

An ambassador of dance education, Mr. Han's expertise has influenced esteemed institutions like the Atlanta Ballet, Boston Ballet, and the Hubbard Street Dance Company. Beyond teaching and directing, he has staged notable works like Choo San Goh’s Ballade and orchestrated captivating performances for Tojo Ballet Theatre in Japan.
 

Trained in in Singapore with Ms Florrie Sinclair and Ms Goh Soo Khim, and professionally at the Australian Ballet School, Mr. Han's foundation reflects a fusion of classical rigor and diverse influences. Currently serving as the Principal of the Singapore Ballet Academy, he continues to groom young talents both locally and internationally.

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Jason Mabana

Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance (United Kingdom)
Rehearsal and Production Director

Jason Mabana is an international dance teacher and choreographer based in London. He holds a Ba (hons) degree from the Rambert School and a postgraduate Diploma from The Place.
 

Jason is the rehearsal and production director at the Rambert School and teaches Contemporary at both London Contemporary Dance School and The Royal Ballet School, where he shares his expertise and knowledge with the next generation of dancers.

In addition to his teaching commitments, Jason has created works for numerous renowned dance companies, schools and events, including Black Box Dance Company, Conny Janssen Danst, FDR, Hamburg Contemporary Company, Balletboyz, SpringBoard, Royal Ballet School, Stella McCartney, De Beers and more. His works have been nominated for Best Choreography in Denmark, the Asian Arts Awards, and the Amnesty International Freedom of Speech Awards, which is a testament to his creativity and talent.
 

As a sought-after guest teacher at conservatoires worldwide, he has taught at The University of the Arts in Amsterdam, University of Stavanger, and Hamburg Contemporary Dance School. Jason’s unique style of teaching comes from the fusion of contemporary and hip hop.
 

Throughout his career, Jason has also been a highly skilled dancer, performing with world-renowned dance companies such as Akram Khan Company, Wayne McGregor, Shobana Jeyasingh, and Candoco Dance Company. His experience as a performer has given him a deep understanding of the art of dance and has allowed him to bring that knowledge to his teaching and choreography.

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Lisa-Maree Cullum

Tanya Pearson Academy (Australia)
Artistic Director

Lisa-Maree Cullum, a native of New Zealand, began her ballet journey at the age of 3 under her mother's guidance. By the age of 14, she had committed to ballet full-time at the Tanya Pearson Academy in Sydney, Australia. Her exceptional talent was swiftly recognized when she secured the gold medal in the Royal Academy's Adeline Genee Awards, followed by a Prix de Lausanne scholarship. This paved the way for her to further her studies at the esteemed Academie de danse Princesse Grace in Monaco, under Madame Marika Besobrasova's mentorship.
 
Joining the English National Ballet at 17 marked the start of Lisa-Maree's professional career. Soon after, she accepted an invitation from Peter Schaufuss to join the Deutsche Oper Berlin in Germany, where she swiftly ascended to principal dancer after her remarkable performance in the world premiere of Giselle. In 1998, she was offered a principal contract with the Bayerische Staatsballett in Munich, Germany, where she danced until 2015. In 2008, Lisa-Maree was honored with the prestigious title of "Kammertänzerin" by the Bavarian Ministry of Culture, recognizing her extensive contributions to ballet in Germany.
 
Lisa-Maree's illustrious career took her to stages worldwide, including the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan and many more. Since retiring from the stage, she has dedicated herself to mentoring the next generation of dancers, earning acclaim as a generous and passionate coach. Lisa-Maree's expertise is sought after as a guest teacher for Masterclasses and as a jury member at prestigious ballet competitions, including the Prix de Lausanne in 2015. As the former Associate Artistic Director of the Bavaria Ballet Academy in Munich, Lisa-Maree brings over three decades of global experience back to her roots as the Artistic Director of the Tanya Pearson Academy, inspiring new generations of dance students to embark on their own illustrious careers.

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Lisa Macuja Elizalde

The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet (Philippines)
School Directress

Lisa Macuja Elizalde – Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ballet Manila, a prima ballerina, is one of the most recognizable and iconic figures in the Philippine classical ballet landscape. Graduating at the top of her class from the prestigious school in 1984, now the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, Lisa debuted as principal ballerina in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, and Giselle with the Kirov Ballet. Upon her return to Manila, she was the first artist-in-residence of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and performed as guest artist with Ballet Philippines until 1988 when she became a principal dancer of the Philippine Ballet Theatre. 

 

In 1995, she established Ballet Manilla, and performing and leading the company’s performance all over the world. She formally retired from full length dancing in 2014 but makes periodic appearances in productions of Ballet Manila. Lisa is also the founder and directress of the Lisa Macuja School of Ballet, where she continues to train students in the Russian Vaganova method. 

 

Lisa is frequently invited to conduct master classes outside of the Philippines – Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, United States of America, Hong Kong, South Korea, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom. She is also in the jury panel for many international ballet comptitions both in the Philippines and in the Asian Region.

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Melissa Quek

LASALLE College of the Arts (Singapore)
Head of the School of Dance & Theatre

Melissa is the Head of the School of Dance & Theatre at LASALLE College of the Arts and the Programme Leader for the Diploma in Dance.

She is also a choreographer, performer and educator whose choreographic interest lies in investigating the body-subject. Her works and creative process attempt to touch on questions of agency, materiality and perception to create a visceral experience for the audience.

Melissa enjoys multi-disciplinary collaborative works, Site based work such as site-specific outdoor performance Tracing the City (2016) and cause based performances and workshops such as Stride with Pride, a performance aimed at increasing respect for wheelchair users. She founded The Kueh Tutus (a collective dedicated to creating dance for young audiences) and has created several works that have been presented at The Artground, toured to regional libraries and appeared in the Esplanade’s Festivals Octoburst! and March On.

Melissa has managed and designed various MOE-NAC Dance related initiatives such as the Dance Talent Development Programme, and Strategic Partnership CCA (Ethnic Dance). She also mentors the choreographic work of young and emerging artists through institutions such as *SCAPE and occasionally writes dance reviews, articles and edu-packs to make contemporary dance more accessible.

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Dr Peter Gn

Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (UK)
Honorary Fellow
The Presence Project
Choreographer-Director

Dr Peter Gn is a seasoned professional in the field of Dance and Choreography, with a rich educational background from prestigious institutions worldwide. With training from the Victorian College of the Arts (Australia), Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (UK), and the University of Roehampton (UK), Peter holds a Doctorate in Dance and Masters degrees in Choreography and Dance Studies.

As an accomplished choreographer, dance educator, and conference presenter, Peter's creative ventures span across various platforms, from theaters to sports arenas and national events. His artistic approach, rooted in Release Technique and Improvisation, seamlessly blends dance with film, poetry, and music, resulting in captivating interdisciplinary works.

Peter's influence extends globally, having led performance projects and masterclasses in numerous countries, including Australia, Canada, Singapore, and the United States. He has also graced prestigious conferences such as the National Dance Education Organisation Conference and the World Dance Alliance Global Dance Summit.

At IBGPS, Peter has played roles as a Conference Panel Speaker, Workshop Trainer, and Conference Convenor. Additionally, he has served as a Jury Member for esteemed competitions like IAF (2020-2023), showcasing his expertise and commitment to nurturing emerging talents.

Beyond his contributions to academia and competitions, Peter has represented the Ministry of Education (Singapore) in various capacities, including choreographer, coordinator, and consultant for the National Day Parade. As the Choreographer-Director of The Presence Project, Peter continues to captivate audiences with innovative choreography, both locally and internationally.

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Resmi Malko

Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts (Germany)
Professor

In May 2024, Resmi Malko joined the faculty of the Académie des Tanzes at Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts, bringing extensive experience and expertise in ballet.

Resmi commenced his training at the Academy of Ballet in Tirana, Albania, and graduated in 1985. He then joined the National Opera Ballet Theater in Albania, rapidly advancing to first dancer and performing internationally across Europe, Turkey, the USA, and Canada over a 15-year period. He later performed with Canada’s Ballet Jörgen and graduated with honors from the National Ballet School (NBS) Teacher Training Program in 2003, subsequently joining its faculty.

From 2012 to 2013, Resmi served as Ballet Master at New English Ballet Theatre. For over 14 years, he was a pivotal member of the Central School of Ballet’s artistic team in London, where his students achieved notable success in competitions such as the Prix de Lausanne, Youth America Grand Prix, and BBC Young Dancer. His mentorship led to unprecedented victories, including three gold medals and multiple awards at the Genée International Ballet Competition.

Mr Resmi Malko continues to teach and judge internationally, with recent engagements in Singapore and a robust track record of guest teaching and jury roles globally.

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Rainer Krenstetter

Unblanche (Tokyo)
Artistic Director
Margot Fonteyn Academy of Ballet (United States)
Associate Artistic Director &
International guest principal dancer

Mr. Rainer, born into a dance family in Vienna, began his ballet training at the Ballet School of the Vienna State Opera. He has served as a jury member at prestigious competitions including the Prix de Lausanne in 2024 and the International Ballet Competition in Seoul, Vienna, Rome, and Riga. Additionally, he has guest taught at numerous workshops and schools globally.
 

In 1999, Mr. Rainer joined the Royal Ballet School (RBS), continuing his training until 2000 when he became a member of the Vienna State Opera Ballet. In 2002, he joined the Staatsballett Berlin under Vladimir Malakhov, rising to Principal dancer. He joined Miami City Ballet as a Principal dancer from 2014 to 2022. During his career, he was appointed Artistic Director of Unblanche in Tokyo in 2020 and Associate Artistic Director at The Margot Fonteyn Academy of Ballet in Arizona in 2021. Since leaving Miami City Ballet, he has performed internationally as a guest principal dancer.
 

Mr. Rainer has won medals at various international ballet competitions, including 1st Prize at the Prix de Lausanne in 1999. His repertoire includes principal roles in many full-length productions such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, and Romeo and Juliet, as well as ballets by renowned choreographers like George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and William Forsythe.
 

Mr. Rainer received the 2016 Miami Life Award for "Best Classical Dancer" and authored the book "Not Without Tears: A Life Lived on Stage." In 2023, he was honored with the “Fonteyn Legacy Centenary Award.”​

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Susan Yeung, How Wah

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Singapore)
Associate Dean and Senior Lecturer at School of Dance

Susan received the City Contemporary Dance Company Prize in Hong Kong and began her career as a professional performer with Ecnad Project in Singapore in 2002. In 2005, as the independent producer of COLLECTIVE mayhem, she toured her work internationally. She is also the choreographer for Xsystem Entertainment from 2007 to 2010.

Recently, Susan founded Creative X Network, collaborates across disciplines and initiated the project Reimagining Residency in 2021 with international dance artists and Singapore’s community service providers.

From 2003 to 2022, Susan served as artistic director, mentor, and artistic curator for more than 60 dance productions and events. She also regularly served as an assessor, adjudicator, facilitator, mentor, and panel speaker for professional companies, institutes, universities, and arts festivals, including the National Arts Council, Ministry of Education, and *Scape.
Susan's works have been presented and reviewed by press and media internationally, including CNN Travel, Straits Time and Lianhe Zaobao. Her achievements as a dance artist were featured in the Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao in 2010.

Prior to her experience at NAFA, she was the Programme Coordinator for BA(Hons), Lecturer and Lecturer-in-charge of dance programmes at LASALLE College of the Arts. She also served as the artistic and rehearsal director, for LASALLE’s major dance productions and international performances from 2010 to 2019 and as a choreographer and artistic curator for festivals and touring works. She joined Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts as the Programme Leader in 2021 and is currently the Associate Dean of School of Dance.

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Tamara King

Boston Ballet School 
Associate Director

Tamara King, is an experienced teacher, dedicated dance educator, and former professional dancer who is committed to providing high-quality dance education and training to students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Her association with Boston Ballet dates back to 1981 when she earned a scholarship for the Summer Dance Program. Following a successful professional career, King commenced her teaching journey at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, subsequently returning to Boston Ballet in 2001. She served as the Principal of the Summer Dance Program and earned promotion to Principal of the Newton Studio in 2004.
 
In 2020, King assumed the role of Principal at Boston Ballet School, overseeing faculty, curriculum, and operations for the Classical Ballet Program across the Boston Ballet School and Newton studios, along with the Summer Dance Program. Recently, she was appointed Associate Director of Boston Ballet School, a testament to her ongoing commitment to dance education.

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Tina Afiyan Breiova

London Contemporary Dance School 
Senior Lecturer for the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Courses

Tina Afiyan Breiova is an award-winning dance artist, choreographer, movement director, and lecturer. Originally from Armenia and the Czech Republic, she graduated from P.A.R.T.S. in Brussels and has since developed a distinguished, multi-disciplinary career across the performing arts. 

As a performer, Tina has collaborated with renowned artists such as Marina Abramović, Alexander Vantournhout, Roberto Olivan, Thomas Ryckewaert, Cie Willi Dorner. Her contributions to the film and music industries have included work with prominent directors, including Paul Thomas Anderson, Damien Jalet, Simon Riechel, Ran Li, Joe Connor, Emile Rafael, as well as the movement departments of Warner Brothers Pictures. Tina frequently works as a movement director for independent artists, crafting evocative movement worlds.

Tina is the founder of Axis of Action, an interdisciplinary training and performance practice that she has shared at renowned institutions and festivals worldwide, including the B12 Festival in Berlin, HAMU in Prague, and Cirquit-Est in Montreal.


Since 2020, Tina has been a lecturer at London Contemporary Dance School (The Place), where she is currently the Module Leader for BA and Unit Leader for MA Dance: Performance program.

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Wu, Yi-San

Taipei National University of the Arts, School of Dance 
Chairperson and Associate Professor
Yi Production 
Artistic Director

Wu, Yi-San, a distinguished figure in the world of dance, commenced her career as a professional dancer with Cloud Gate Dance Theatre and City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC), touring globally and participating in various International Dance Festivals from 1994 to 2006. Her exceptional journey includes membership in South 'ASLI' Dance Workshop from 1996 to 2001. In 2023, she received the prestigious Chinese Literary Award from the Chinese Writers & Artists Association C.W.A.A. Adding to her accolades, she became a distinguished alumna of Taipei Municipal Zhong Zheng Senior High School in 2022.


Acknowledged for her outstanding performance, Yi-San received the Hong Kong Dance Awards in 2000 and the 2009 Production Award through Unlock Dancing Plaza Community Culture Ambassador Project. She was featured in the Dance History of Hong Kong in 2003 and 2006. Yi-San was granted a full scholarship from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund in 2003, allowing her to study at the London Contemporary Dance School. She collaborated with renowned companies such as Random Dance Company, Akram Khan Dance Company, and Protein Dance.


With over 20 years of experience in teaching and choreography, Yi-San continuously explores diverse creative perspectives and collaborates with various media artists. Her works have premiered at esteemed platforms like Taiwan Co-dance Festival, Singapore Huayi Festival, DA:NS Festival, Asia Pacific Dance Festival, Beijing Dance Festival, and many others. Notable collaborations include performances with The Human Expression Dance Company (T.H.E), LASALLE College of the Arts, Crucible Dance Company in Germany, City Contemporary Dance Company, Beyond Dance Theater, E-Side Dance Company, and more.

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Zhou Lin

Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS)
Full-Time Faculty Member 

Ms. Zhou is a highly respected ballet educator and adjudicator. Since 2017, she has been a full-time faculty member at Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS), specializing in vocational training. She works closely with aspiring professional dancers, focusing on technique, artistry, and performance development. In addition to teaching, she plays a key role in rehearsing, choreographing, restaging works, and assessing students. She also conducts masterclasses, summer intensives, and serves as a jury panelist for international ballet competitions.

Originally from China, Ms. Zhou trained at the Beijing Dance Academy before joining Singapore Ballet (formerly Singapore Dance Theatre) as a principal and soloist. She toured internationally, performing lead roles in classical and contemporary works such as Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Raymonda in Raymonda, and Swanhilde in Coppélia. She was also featured in Jirí Kylián’s Forgotten Land and Stamping Ground.
 

After retiring from the stage, Ms. Zhou transitioned into dance education, earning a Distinction from NBS’s Teacher Training Program and receiving the prestigious Betty Oliphant Award. Since then, she has been committed to shaping the next generation of dancers through her teaching and mentorship.

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