Lily Sheppard, originally from Howell, MI, graduated from Marymount Manhattan College receiving a BFA in Modern Dance. Lily has worked closely alongside and performed works by Peter Chu, Sonya Tayeh, johannes wieland, Micaela Taylor, Yin Yue, Jenn Freeman, Martha Graham and more. She has also attended training programs that include b12 festival in Berlin, Springboard Danse Montreal, GibneyPro, Complexions and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Upon graduation from Marymount, Lily was awarded the Gold Key in excellence for modern dance. She has also most recently been the Associate Choreographer for ‘Is It Thursday Yet?’, an evening length show performed and created by Jenn Freeman and created and directed by Sonya Tayeh. Lily is also a member of Verbal Animal, a contemporary and theater based company in Brooklyn, NY. Lily has been freelancing as a dancer and choreographer in New York City as well choreographing and teaching master classes nationwide in styles that include contemporary, ballet, jazz, improvisation and floor work.

Brionna Trilling has been lucky enough to have been judging for three years. She started performing professionally at a young age in the Broadway National Tour of Billy Elliot: The Musical. After touring around the world for four years, she moved to NYC to train at the Professional Performing Arts School and continue her career professionally. She recently graduated with a BFA in Musical Theater at Marymount Manhattan College, where she has gotten to train with Fosse Verdon sanctioned reconstructor Dana Moore, and many other professionals involved with the legacy. She is now lucky enough to be an adjunct Professor on their Daily Dance faculty. Recently, she worked as the Associate Choreographer and played Cha Cha in Grease and was the Associate Choreographer for Pete The Cat’s Big Hollywood Adventure. Some of her favorite experiences include: participating in choreography labs with Disney Theatricals, and performing at The Muny. She has also had the opportunity to assist professionals such as Lane Napper, Christine O’Grady Roberts, and Whitney Sprayberry. Brionna is so thankful she’s had the chance to share her passion as a guest teacher and choreographer at different dance studios around the country.

From the moment Markus Shields first stepped into a rehearsal, his passion for dance and choreography ignited like wildfire. Within just a year, he was crafting award-winning pieces that dominated both national and international stages. Leaving behind the familiar streets of Grand Rapids, MI, Markus set his sights on Los Angeles, where he quickly established connections with industry titans like Nancy O'Meara, Dominique Kelley, Tricia Miranda, Frank Gatson, Parris Goebel, Charm La’Donna, and more. His journey in LA led him to become a regular fixture at legendary studios such as Millennium Dance Complex, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, and Edge PAC, while also earning him recognition as an international master instructor. Represented by Bloc Talent Agency, Markus’s dynamic presence as a dancer and choreographer has graced ads for JW Marriott, eBay and Amtrak. His talents have taken him from the stage to the screen, performing alongside Kendrick Lamar, Megan Thee Stallion, Brandy, Will Smith, Muni Long, Chris Brown, Mariah Carey. Markus’s choreography has also lit up two world tours for Latin Pop Legend Chayanne. Above all, he remains a visionary creator, infusing his heart into every project—whether it’s choreographing for a local studio, commanding a world stage, or directing creative projects for recording artists. Markus Shields's unwavering commitment to inspiration fuels his artistry, driving him to make an impact on every level of the entertainment industry.