Hundreds of entries. 17 finalists. Only 1 winner. Who will be named this year’s Capezio A.C.E. Awards champion?
On Saturday, August 5, (right smack in the middle of our Dance Teacher Summit) Summit) one choreographer will receive $15,000 to go towards a future show of his or her choreography and join the ranks of Martha Nichols, Travis Wall and Al Blackstone. (First and second runner-ups receive $5,000 and $3,000, respectively, to go towards their shows.) Many of these choreographers were finalists last year, and several have been on our minds lately. Click each name to watch the choreography that got them to finalist status—and weigh in on the comments section if you’ve got dirt of your own on these fabulously talented dancemakers.
1. Rudy Abreu
He’s already choreographed a music video for Derek Hough—what could possibly top that?
4. Phil Colgan
Federan’s Instagram is on point with incredible class combos. Watch and see:
7. Will Johnston/Marissa Osato
When Johnston isn’t choreographing, he’s breaking our hearts with his smooth moves—like in this Tyce Diorio duet:
8. Renee Kester
Remember that video that went viral of a couple dancing on a train platform? Kestler is one half of that duet, so we know she has the dancing chops to go all the way:
9. Erica Marr
10. Maggie Miller
11. Lukas McFarlane
12. Yusuf Nasir
13. Sabrina Phillip
15. Akira Uchida
16. Andrea Ward
17. Nick Young
If Young sounds familiar, that’s because his tap numbers for “So You Think You Can Dance” have been a big hit. He definitely tells a story with every number he choreographs, like this one:
