Our Officials - Carnegie Classic

Dana Edwards

Chairman of Judges

Dana is a World DanceSport Federation, WDO, and USA Dance Adjudicating Official, Invigilator, Scrutineer, a USA Dance Chairman of Adjudicators, She has been Chairperson of Adjudicator and Adjudicator for Collegiate competitions since 1997. She holds her Master degrees in Ballroom, Rhythm and Theatre Arts with AIDA and DanceVision and her International Latin and Ballroom license from WDSF and ISTD. She is a retired NDCA Open Professional competitor. She has competed in International Latin and Standard but found her main success as an NDCA Professional American Smooth and American Rhythm Champion and a Fred Astaire Professional American and Canadian / American Smooth Champion. Top Teacher Awards from FADS and the Arnold Sports Festival. Dana has also worked on an animated film for the Walt Disney Films. AIDA National Committee since 2016.

Amanda Wolf

Judge

Amanda Wolf comes to us with 20 years of experience as a ballroom dance professional. She has competed professionally in all four ballroom dance styles and was a finalist in both Open and Rising Star American Rhythm and Smooth. She owns Amanda Wolf Productions, a choreography and coaching studio in Pittsburgh.

Deborah Davis

Judge

Deborah Davis is the co-owner and Director of Ballroom Break Dance Studio in Lewisberry, P.A. Deborah has over 40 years of teaching experience, instructing in smooth, Latin, swing, hustle, theatre arts, ballet, and jazz, both American and International Styles. She has worked for various cruise lines as a guest teacher and entertainer. Deborah choreographed and directed shows in the Catskills as well as locally. Deborah is certified by the world's most prestigious professional ballroom dance organization, the American International Dancers Association (AIDA), formerly the U.S. Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (U.S.I.S.T.D), as teachers, competing professionals, and adjudicators. Deborah is an Adjunct Faculty Member at Penn State Harrisburg, and formerly Susquehanna University, and HACC. Deb developed the Ballroom Dance Programs in all 3 of these colleges.

Emily Mertens

Judge

Emily Mertens is a DVIDA-certified instructor, studio owner, and professional competitor. As an instructor, she has continually ranked as a top ProAm instructor throughout the years. Most notably, she placed first in the Global Dancesport Series Circuit from 2019 to 2022. She is also one of only five female instructors ever, to place as a rising star finalist in the World Pro-Am Dancesport Series. Ms. Mertens loves sharing the benefits of dance with others and advocates that it is for everyone of all levels and ages. She supports her local community through performances and outreach after-school programs. Currently, she lives in Columbus, Ohio, and continues to compete in professional American Smooth with her partner.

Frederic Shipley

Judge

Frederic Shipley is the co-owner and President of Ballroom Break Dance Studio in Lewisberry, PA Fred has over 45 years of teaching experience, instructing in smooth, Latin, swing, hustle, theatre arts, ballet, and jazz, both American and International Styles. He has worked as a guest teacher and entertainer for various cruise lines and in the Catskills. Fred is certified by the most prestigious professional ballroom dance organization in the world: the American International Dancers Association (AIDA), formerly, the U.S. Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (U.S.I.S.T.D) as teachers, competing professionals, and adjudicators.

Richard Semlitz

Judge

Ricky started as a choir kid in middle school loving musicals and tap dancing. After failing to join an acapella group in college, he made a friend who dragged him to Ballroom at Maryland. Over the course of his dancing journey, Ricky organized DCDI for ten years and Dance Legends for three. Now Ricky continues to MC events like DCDI, USA Dance Nationals, the MAC, and KCDC. On occasion, you can even find him dabbling as a scrutineer or chair of judges at a local DC amateur judged competition.

David Ho

DJ

Currently DJing at: - Starlight Dance Center, Nutley NJ - resident DJ for weekly Friday night socials, bi-annual student showcases - Danznik Studios, Westchester NY - resident DJ for tri-annual student showcases - Danznik Studios, NYC - resident DJ for Latin practice rounds - Le Pari Dance Center, Scotch Plains NJ - Saturday night socials - Left Side Leading, KTown Dance Studio NYC - Sunday afternoon Tea Dance - Fred Astaire, Warren NJ - monthly themed socials, Rhythm and Smooth practice rounds - Fred Astaire, Bardonia NY - student showcase events - Vitti's Dance Studio, Danbury CT - Saturday night socials - Staten Island Ballroom Dancers Dinner Dance - NY Hustle Congress - Saturday competition session - NJ Hustle Congress - Satuday competition session Collegiate Competitions: - CMU Carnegie Classic - RPI - Tufts Comp - Harvard Beginners - SUNY Stony Brook East Coast Fireball - UMass Minuteman Dancesport Classic