NYPA Adjudicators

Dual Adjudicators were first appointed in 2016 for both the Tap Dance and Ballet sections.  This continued in 2017 with dual Adjudicators for the Modern Dance section. The Dual Adjudicator system has worked so well that the decision was made to continue offering dual Adjudicators for the ever growing dance genres of Modern, Ballet and Tap Dance sections.
For the MEGA NYPA PLUS 2022 the decision was also made to add an additional level of transparency for the three dance genres of Ballet, Tap Dance and Modern Dance, we were excited to announce that those genres would have THREE adjudicators per genre instead of the usual TWO adjudicators. 

2025 will see THREE adjudicators for Modern Dance and solo adjudicators for Musical Theatre, Instrumental and Speech & Drama
 
The Troupe section was re-introduced in 2016 as part of the 40th Anniversary Celebrations. This section was so popular that it was decided to continue offering this award for the foreseeable future.
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​In 2025, the 3 Modern Dance Adjudicators and 1 Musical Theatre Adjudicator will form the base of the Troupe judging panel and will be joined by  additional Adjudicators to cover all the necessary dance genres.
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                   ANNOUNCING our ADJUDICATORS for 2025 

Debbie Linnert
Modern Dance Co-Adjudicator

Debbie Linnert is one of Australia’s most renowned contemporary dance teachers and choreographers and is well known for her dynamic and inspirational work. For the past 20 years, Debbie has been a popular guest teacher for many industry workshops and teacher conventions and has imparted her wealth of experience both as an international and residential teacher/ choreographer.  During this time Debbie has developed not only as a choreographer but has been committed to enhancing the technical skill of students at an elite level.

Debbie started dancing from the age of 4 and followed her passion of dance to complete a Full time Performing Arts Course at Brent Street Studios, Sydney and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree                  [University of Newcastle] , Australia. She also holds a Cert IV in Training and Assessment. After travelling the world teaching mainly in London, UK she set down roots here in Australia.
Debbie's choreography attracted the attention of the producers for So You Think You Can Dance, Australia. Debbie was invited to choreograph for the 1st series and became a regular contemporary choreographer for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th series. She worked alongside Australia's greatest choreographers and dance leaders, bringing the art and grace of dance to mainstream audiences. Debbie choreographed duos and group routines over those years with standing ovations and highly acclaimed critiques. Following one of her many outstanding routines, Paula Abdul through a stream of tears, remarked "the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."

Debbie has also been engaged by other well-known television productions such as Dancing with the Stars [Channel 7] and the ABCs Dance Academy [ABC TV]. She was lead choreographer for High School Musical directed by Jonathon Geraghty [director of High 5]. Debbie has also been engaged to share her expertise with organisations including Link Financial Services, Lions Club Australia, Toys R Us, Joop Perfume Convention, the Australian Hair Expo, Porsche Australia.
On stage, Debbie has choreographed for The Australian Dance Awards and also created a revised production of the 7 Deadly Sins. Debbie choreographed KLASH to live percussion with Michael Askill, newly composed music of Cyrus Meurant and Matthew Hindson, which was performed by Nexus Quartet.  Debbie worked in a collaboration of Lord of the Rings, accompanied by Newcastle Wind Orchestra.  She has also been a choreographer for Starstruck for many years and recently been involved in NSW Schools Spectacular. Debbie also has been employed by many dance studios for her choreography including National College of Dance, Annette Roselli Dance Academy, Dance North and Ev and Bow.

With Debbie's broad and diverse experience she has also become a well-respected judge, adjudicator and guest workshop instructor in the dancing world. Adjudications include PACANZ New Zealand, BPAC, Insight Dance, IRBD Dance Challenge, KAR Australia and Evolution Dance. Debbie has been employed for guest workshops over the years. These include Australian Dance Festival, NSW Public Schools Dance Off and BPAC.
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Debbie is currently Head of Contemporary and Jazz at the National College of Dance where she teaches and choreographs for Cert IV and Diploma. One of Debbie's deepest delight is in teaching, mentoring and inspiring dance students. This in hand with a gift for choreography has been the foundation for a long and successful career where she has contributed to 1000's of aspiring dancers. "Seeing a young person develop their technique and then loose themselves with passion, raw emotion and precision on the stage, where the audience becomes emotionally mesmerized means so much for me. Even more though is when I see the growth of my students. It keeps me inspired". 

Haley Davis
Modern Dance Co-Adjudicator

Haley Davis is a professional dancer, choreographer and artist who grew up at her mother’s
dance studio, Western Nevada Performing Arts Center in Carson City, NV under the direction of
Gina Kaskie Davis. At a young age, she discovered her passion for dance and teaching and
wanted to follow in her family’s footsteps.

Some credits include, Step One Dance Company on Holland America Cruise Lines and dance
assistant to Kevin and Marcel Wilson in Cirque Dreams Holidaze. She was the associate
choreographer for “In Concert,” an immersive rock show on MSC Cruise Lines as well as a part
of the choreographic workshop for the new production of Hercules on Disney Cruise Lines. You
can also see Haley as the featured dancer in Haliene’s music video titled “Whisper.” She
currently tours with Adrenaline and Revive Dance Convention as well as Deviate Dance (under
the direction of Radio City’s Associate Choreographer, Dylan Pearce). She currently teaches at
dance studios and schools across the country as well as in her place of residence, New York City,
at Broadway Dance Center.
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Haley is an affirmative and expressive artist who receives fulfillment from connecting with
others. Dance, has allowed her to do just that.

 
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Jayden Hicks
Modern Dance Co-Adjudicator

Jayden Hicks is a multidisciplinary artist, creator, educator, and mentor, currently serving as the Artistic Director of Transit Dance. Based in Melbourne, Australia, he is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists and fostering creativity within the dance community. His career spans performance, choreography, and artistic leadership, with a strong focus on innovation and artistic excellence.

Jayden’s performance career includes notable credits with esteemed companies such as Opera Australia, Vertical Shadows, Melbourne Ballet Company, and Collaboration the Project. His standout role in Yours Truly earned him nominations for both a Green Room Award and a Victorian Dance Award for Best Male Dancer in 2013.

In 2016, Jayden was appointed Artistic Director of Origins Dance Company, where he developed young talent and produced acclaimed works, including an international collaboration with The National Youth Dance Company of Scotland. During this time, he also produced the Australian Dance Award-nominated Transit Regional Creative Project, Dance Architect, and UNDRGRND Melbourne.

Since joining Transit Dance in 2015, Jayden distinguished himself as a principal artist in acclaimed productions such as BOYZ, Small Parameters, ID, and Fuze. His appointment as Associate Director in 2022 marked a pivotal step in shaping the company’s artistic vision, culminating in his promotion to Artistic Director in 2024. In this role, he continues to expand his passion for mentoring emerging artists across diverse disciplines while fostering a culture of creativity and innovation.

Beyond Transit Dance, Jayden has contributed to several significant collaborative and choreographic projects. He served as Rehearsal Director for Cass Mortimer Eipper and Alice Topp during Project Animo’s premiere season, And Now We Move On, in 2021. In 2023, he worked as a Creative Associate for The Australian Ballet's 60th Anniversary Season, Identity, alongside Alice Topp. That same year, his choreographic work Opus toured successfully across regional Victoria. In 2025, he will premiere his latest choreographic work, Limen, with MCollective.

In addition to his artistic leadership, Jayden is a Board Member of Ausdance Victoria, where he actively contributes to the evolution of dance education and professional practice.


 
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Samm Hagen
Musical Theatre Adjudicator

Samm is best known for her performance as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, for which she received a Green Room Award nomination, and covering the iconic role of Elsa in Disney's Frozen, touring Australasia.
Her other performance credits include Diva in Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Pat in Kinky Boots (both for Michael Cassel Group), Molly cover in Ghost The Musical (GWB), Alternate Ann Darrow in the world premiere of King Kong: Live On Stage (Global Creatures), Waitress #1/Sherrie cover in Rock Of Ages (New Theatricals), original member of Rock Rhapsody: Music of Queen with Michael Falzon, Amanda Harrison and Justin Burford (GoodEgg Creative), leading lady in Spiegelicious, Rhythm of Life, All Aboard (all with producer Jason Coleman), Jessie in Amity Dry’s A (M)other Life alongside Nat O’Donnell, Amanda Harrison and Jennifer Velutic, and Violet Flowers in the new Australian musical Jack Frost.

Along with her cast mates, Samm received a Green Room Award for Best Ensemble in Rock Of Ages. She was also a Rob Guest Endowment Top 6 Finalist in 2012, was a part of the workshop reading for Famous by Amity Dry through HomeGrown Grassroots Initiative, and was featured on the demo recordings of both Bradley McCaw’s The Oasis and JAMM’D Productions COVID album Solitary.

She is also continuing her role as a featured vocalist in Legends In Concert across Australia and New Zealand, with her next season commencing in January of 2026. Samm is also a widely sought after corporate vocalist and concert entertainer, headlining many productions with Southern Beat Productions, Yvette Lee, Mike Snell Entertainment, Home Grown, Beck Entertainment and Trumpet Events.

In addition to her stage career, Samm serves as the Musical Theatre Manager and Head Of Vocals at Ministry Of Dance, producing original works and cultivating the next generation of Australian talent.

Phillip Green
Instrumental Adjudicator

Phillip Green, Australian cellist and conductor and educator has degrees from the University of Melbourne, Monash University and the University of Queensland. 

At the age of 23 he was appointed Principal Cello of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, a position he held for 18 years. He appeared as soloist with orchestras on many occasions around Australia and internationally. As a foundation member of the Australian Chamber Soloists Phillip toured nationally for Musica Viva.

Phillip Green is also a dynamic and versatile conductor who has worked with Australia's major symphony orchestras and has developed a profile in a wide range of musical styles appearing in New Zealand, Thailand and Indonesia and China. This has given him an outstanding knowledge of not only cello repertoire but of symphonic works.

His cello students benefit from this overarching experience he brings to his teaching. As a past Senior Lecturer in Cello at the University of Melbourne, VCA Head of Strings and AMEB examiner, he has served as Director of Music in institutions, in Australia, Singapore, Vienna and Shanghai.

​Phillip has the unusual credentials of having a performing and pedagogical background. Many of his students hold professional music positions and play in orchestras around the world. 



 
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Sarah Watkins
Official Accompanist for Instrumental

Sarah Watkins has enjoyed an impressive and busy career as a collaborative pianist.

She performed across Australasia, Asia, the USA and Europe as a founding member of NZTrio, and now enjoys a wide variety of collaborations with musicians throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

A three-time winner of Classical Artist of the Year at the Aotearoa Music Awards (most recently with Robert Ashworth in 2022, and Andrew Beer in 2020), she is also an official pianist for the Michael Hill International Violin Competition. Sarah earned both MM and DMA degrees from the Juilliard School (NY) and is a Senior Lecturer in piano at the University of Auckland.



Contact
[email protected]​
 
                                    

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