Official Judges for 2020 Virtual World Championship Tap Series
MARK ORSBORN (USA):
Mark Orsborn is a tap dancer, teacher, and choreographer from Washington, DC. Mark grew up training as a member of the pre-professional tap company “Tappers With Attitude” and is a former soloist with the Tap America Project (TAP). Mark co-founded his company, The JaM Project, in 2007 and has been recognized by The Washington Post, Dance Spirit Magazine, and numerous film festivals across North America for his work. The JaM Project was a finalist at the 2016 Capezio ACE Awards, which recognizes the top emerging choreographers in the commercial dance industry. The JaM Project was also featured in Season 2 of World of Dance on NBC. Mark is the founder and director of The JaM Youth Project, which has attracted young tap dancers from all over the United States and received support from multiple news outlets as well as national recording artists, The Doobie Brothers. The company’s dance film projects with Dancinema have screened at several different film festivals and featured in Dance Teacher Magazine. Mark was recognized by the Young Choreographer’s Festival in 2015 and he co-choreographed the closing number at both the 2015 and 2016 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards in NYC. Most recently, he was a contributing choreographer for YouTube’s Brandcast at Radio City Music Hall. Mark has been on faculty for numerous festivals and conventions including DC Tap Fest, Jersey Tap Fest, Orlando Tap Fest, OC Tap Fest, and Rhythm in Fusion Festival (RIFF).
JAMES TUNSTEAD (AUSTRALIA):
My name is James Tunstead, I’m originally from Perth, Western Australia, but now live in Sydney. I’ve been tap dancing since I was 8 years old and through that time I have changed lots as a dancer. I started at a very old school studio, which developed a very strong technique, and after 6 years changed to a studio that had more of a street tap style. This change set in motion my style of tap which is heavily inspired by the ‘Tap Dogs’. In 2016 I was lucky enough to win a trip through the company ‘Get the Beat’ to come over to the states and compete at the KAR nationals in Las Vegas. I have recently finished 2 years of full-time dance training at ‘Dance Force’ in Tweed Heads, NSW, and have made the move to Sydney, NSW, to try and make a career through dance. I’m super passionate about tap dancing and nothing makes me more excited than an awesome rhythm that’s executed perfectly. Super excited to meet and work with you guys!
RYAN LOHOFF (USA):
Master tap instructor and national award winning choreographer, Ryan, has trained for 30+ years developing a unique style of his own that is exciting for ALL audiences. Ryan is co-director of Tap Into The Network intensives along with Gregg Russell & Angela Carter. Ryan is founder, choreographer & director of a professional tap dance company based out of Los Angeles called Rithem Dance Company where he further expands his talents and skills by directing and creating tap choreography for film. Ryan’s industry credits include being a finalist on “Live to Dance” with Paula Abdul, FOX’s “30 Seconds to Fame”, “Mobbed” with Howie Mandell, Disney’s “The Princess and The Frog”, “Star Search” with Arsenio Hall, industrials for Adidas and Nike, Carvel Ice Cream, an alumni and founding member of Gregg Russell’s Tap Sounds Underground, the Buddy Epson Tribute Show in Los Angeles, Tampa Bay Tap Festival, the Jerry Lewis Telethon in Vegas, and performing at Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Ryan, who holds a B.S. in Visual Communication is CEO/creator of Neo Rythmo, Inc., a designer tap manufacturing company where has designed and produced the worlds FIRST & ONLY color taps including the sleek, matte black ProTones & the multi-colored, vibrant Melodies (TapInColor.com). Ryan has also produced numerous instructional videos and has designed Choreo Cards, an in-classroom game/choreography tool. Watch for this unique and fun addition to the classroom in late 2016.
