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Pros, Judges, Emcees, Deejays, & More!

Michigan Classic unites top-tier talent, delivering an unparalleled dance experience. Renowned instructors, lively emcees, seasoned judges, and beloved DJs come together to create an unforgettable experience. Behind the scenes, our exceptional team ensures seamless event management, keeping the party in full swing.

2025 Instructors & Judges

Click/tap image for Bio

Abi Schneider

ABI SCHNEIDER

Adela Su

ADELA SU

Arjay Centeno

ARJAY CENTENO

BARRY DOUGLAS

CHRIS & MELISSA MOY

DEON HARRELL

EVAN SCHREIBER

Glenn Ball

GLENN BALL

HUNTER HOBBS

Jen DeLuca

JENNIFER DELUCA

LAMARR WILLIFORD

MALIA JAMESON

MARC & ROSE

MATT AUCLAIR

PJ TURNER

Robert Cordoba

ROBERT CORDOBA

Ryan Dobbins

RYAN DOBBINS

Abi Schneider

ABI SCHNEIDER

Instructor,Judge

Adela Su

ADELA SU

Instructor

Arjay Centeno

ARJAY CENTENO

Deejay,Instructor,Judge

BARRY DOUGLAS

BARRY DOUGLAS

Instructor

CHRIS & MELISSA MOY

CHRIS & MELISSA MOY

Instructor,Judge

DEON HARRELL

DEON HARRELL

Emcee,Instructor,Judge

EVAN SCHREIBER

EVAN SCHREIBER

Deejay,Instructor,Judge

Glenn Ball

GLENN BALL

Instructor,Judge

HUNTER HOBBS

HUNTER HOBBS

Instructor,Judge

Jen DeLuca

JENNIFER DELUCA

Instructor,Judge

JULIE AUCLAIR

JULIE AUCLAIR

Judge

LAMARR WILLIFORD

LAMARR WILLIFORD

Instructor,Judge

MALIA JAMESON

MALIA JAMESON

Instructor,Judge

MARC & ROSE

MARC & ROSE

Instructor

MATT AUCLAIR

MATT AUCLAIR

Instructor,Judge

MIA PASTOR

MIA PASTOR

Judge

PJ TURNER

PJ TURNER

Deejay,Emcee,Instructor,Judge

Robert Cordoba

ROBERT CORDOBA

Instructor,Judge

Ryan Dobbins

RYAN DOBBINS

Instructor,Judge

Sharole Lashe Negrete

SHAROLE LASHE NEGRETE

Judge

STACY O’LEYAR

STACY O’LEYAR

Judge

Yvonne Antonacci

YVONNE ANTONACCI

Judge

Abi Schneider

ABI SCHNEIDER

Arjay Centeno

ARJAY CENTENO

CHRIS & MELISSA MOY

Demery Leyva

DEMERY LEYVA

DEON HARRELL

EVAN SCHREIBER

Glenn Ball

GLENN BALL

HUNTER HOBBS

Jen DeLuca

JENNIFER DELUCA

JULIE AUCLAIR

LAMARR WILLIFORD

MALIA JAMESON

MATT AUCLAIR

MIA PASTOR

PJ TURNER

Robert Cordoba

ROBERT CORDOBA

Ryan Dobbins

RYAN DOBBINS

Sharole Lashe Negrete

SHAROLE LASHE NEGRETE

STACY O’LEYAR

Yvonne Antonacci

YVONNE ANTONACCI

HEAD JUDGE & Emcees

Demery Leyva

DEMERY LEYVA

Head Judge

DEON HARRELL

DEON HARRELL

Emcee,Instructor,Judge

PJ TURNER

PJ TURNER

Deejay,Emcee,Instructor,Judge

Deejays

Arjay Centeno

ARJAY CENTENO

Deejay,Instructor,Judge

Don Schanaberger

DON SCHANABERGER

Deejay

EVAN SCHREIBER

EVAN SCHREIBER

Deejay,Instructor,Judge

KAIANO LEVINE

KAIANO LEVINE

Deejay

KATIE FALLON

KATIE FALLON

Deejay

PJ TURNER

PJ TURNER

Deejay,Emcee,Instructor,Judge

Steve Plawinski

STEVE PLAWINSKI

Deejay

TIM JOHNSON

TIM JOHNSON

Deejay

TONI CARROLL

TONI CARROLL

Deejay

Event Staff

Pre-Event Volunteer Coordinator

Heidi Dziak

HEAD JUDGE

Demery Leyva

CONTEST COORDINATOR

Leah Noparstak

REGISTRATION MANAGER

Sarah Gall

BALLROOM COORDINATOR

Daniel Cruz

MERCHANDISE

Robin Plawinski

SCORING

Alex Brand

SOUND & LIGHTING

Tim Johnson

MARKETING

Kendra Zara – Webmaster
Heidi Dziak – Social Media
Nicole Zwerlein – Branding
Rosemary Whitson – Branding

MEDIA

Nadege Lebert – Photography
John Greenstreet – Photography
Becky Larson – Videography

HOSPITALITY SUITE MANAGER

Richard Cronkhite

ELEMENTAL TEAM CHALLENGE MASTERMINDS

Kelsey Osler

Heidi Dziak

JACK OF ALL TRADES

Tammy Davis

MISTRESS OF CHAOS (AKA KENDRA'S MOM)

Cathy Tinney-Zara

Robert Royston

Robert Royston’s professional career began on the competitive couples dance circuit in 1989. Quickly ascending the ranks, Robert successfully secured:

Eight (8) “U.S. Open Swing Dance Championship Titles” in 5 divisions
Six (6) “World Country Dance Championship Titles” in 2 division
Three (3) “USA Grand National Championships Titles” in 2 divisons
Numerous national titles in Hustle, Salsa, and Cabaret
Inducted into the “California Swing Dance Hall of Fame”
Became the youngest person inducted to the “UCWDC Country Dance Hall of Fame” in 2007
Inducted into National Boppers Hall of Fame 2014
US Open Walk of Legend inductee
Inductions into the “World Swing Dance Hall of Fame” and the “Living Legends of Dance Society” in 2011
This make him the only dancer ever inducted into all of these organizations.

Robert’s exciting, high energy original choreography gained the attention of producers of the Broadway musical, “Swing!” This led to:

Principle dancer performing his own choreography in the seven (7) time Tony nominated musical as a principle dancer
Became the assistant choreographer for the first National Tour of the production
Highlighted work in the production of “Gypsy of the Year on Broadway” at New York’s Palace Theatre and “Destination Groove,” a Choreographer’s Showcase
His choreography and performance garnered more attention in the New York workshop production of “Urban Cowboy.”
Royston co-created and produced the critically acclaimed show “SWANGO: The Musical” in 2002. The show ran in New York as a cabaret, leading to a full show with performances in NYC. Four (4) time Tony Award winner, Rupert Holmes, joined the creative team to write the script for the productions.

Other stage shows in which Royston performed or choreographed include:

Neil Bergs’ “100 years of Broadway”
“Uncle Tom’s Cabin”
“Cheer, The Musical” (workshop)
“Fashion the Musical”
The RDC production of “StreetSwing”
Royston’s show, “One Ride,” which he choreographed and co-directed to critical acclaim in NYC.

Royston’s professional journey led him into the music video world as a choreographer. Some of the highlights:

Taylor Swift’s “Love Story,” won the 2009 CMA and CMT Videos of the Year
Midland “Mr Lonely”
Steel Magnolia’s “Last Night Again,” nominee for 2011 CMT Best Video
Gloriana’s “Wanna Take You Home”
The Band Perry’s “Hip To My Heart”
The Mavericks’ “Born to be Blue”
Waterloo Revival “Backwood Bump”
The Bellamy Brothers’ “Shine Them Buckles”
Roger Brown’s “Swing City”

Following the success of “Love Story” and choreographing Taylor Swift’s sold out, record breaking 2009 “Fearless” Tour, Royston’s career as performance coach, live tour director, and choreographer skyrocketed. Some of his tour work and staging for award shows include:

Taylor Swift 2009-2010 “Fearless” tour
Carly Rae Jepsen’s 2013 “This Kiss” tour
Brad Paisley (ACM’s)
Carrie Underwood (ACM’s)
Sugarland (CMA’s)
Miranda Lambert (ACM’s)
John Fogerty (ACM’s)
Brooks and Dunn (ACM’s)
Rascal Flatts (ACM’s) and their World Tour presentation of “Dance Y’all”
Steel Magnolia (ACA’s) plus live tour
Charlie Daniels (ACM’s)
Kellie Pickler (CMA)
Corey Kent (performance coach)
George Birge (performance coach)
Meghan Linsey (performance coach)
Hudson Moore (performance coach)
Rachel Wammack (performance Coach)
Taylor Felt “Live at the Bijou”

Royston’s work as a Choreographer and dancer has also been seen in many feature films:

Million Dollar Arm (Choreographer)
Love’n Dancing (Producer, Choreographer, Actor)
Gamer (Choreographer)
Crank, High Voltage (Choreographer)
Ask me to Dance (Choreographer)
Dance With Me (Dancer)

Additional Achievements:

Coached Ice Dance Champions and Olympians,
Produced the World Championships of Country Dance on GAC Network.
Bachelor Degree of Dance
Professional Dance Instructor Association Master certification
Longstanding member of the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science

An internationally recognized emcee and the voice of the US Open for over 20 years, Royston created the Social Networking “Shout Out” for online viewers, making the world feel part of the event. At the USA Grand Nationals his emceeing twice earned him the People’s Choice Award “Entertainer of the Year”. With his current schedule, Royston acts as emcee at over 25 events worldwide.

Royston also teaches his Intensives on Dance Physics and Musicality all over the world in addition to judging and teaching many different styles of couples dancing while also running his own Production Company, Royston Method, in NYC. Above all, he is most proud of his children and feels being a Dad is his greatest journey.