NATIONALS
MC Bio
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(Erin) Kim Turnbull – “Miss Kim”
B.A. Dal. NeuroPsych., C.D.T.A. since 1985 Our Master of Ceremonies, better known in the Dance Community as “Miss Kim’, has been with Limelight Productions since the beginning. She has M.C.’d for dance events throughout the region and has acted as an adjudicator for several Atlantic dance competitions but she says, “Limelight always feels like being home with family”. She has studied and/or taught Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Step Dance, Flamenco, Belly Dance, Character National, African, Social Dance and Country and Western dance forms with some of the most acclaimed teachers of her time. Her training began when she was three years old with Mother Mary Turnbull, leading to her professional qualification through the Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association (C.D.T.A.) in 1985 with further qualifications reached in 1991, 1995 and 2012. Throughout the decades, she has also completed numerous student and teaching level exams in the Russian and N.A.T.D. syllabi. She has held the position of Artistic Director of several multidisciplinary schools throughout her career, has been on the faculty of and has guest taught at dozens of competitive schools coast to coast. ‘Miss Kim’ opened her first studio in Head of St. Margaret’s Bay in September 2001 then went on to open two more studios on the South Shore, in Chester and Bridgewater as well as one in Fall River. To this day these areas continue to thrive as vital dance centres under the direction of our next generation of teachers. Drawing from her performance background in live theatre, television and film, Miss Kim has choreographed and guest performed locally with several Maritime theatre companies including Chester Playhouse and Neptune Theatre. Other credits to her name include having been acknowledged for her contribution to “The Tap Dance Dictionary”, published by MacFarland & Company, acting as Competition Coordinator for the first two C.D.T.A. Atlantic Ballet Festivals, having been a director on the Board of Dance Nova Scotia from 1996-2003 and the Atlantic Vice President of the C.D.T.A., but her most proud accomplishment she says, are her beautiful dancing daughters. Miss Kim is in her 41st year of teaching and has no plans to stop any time soon! |
Judges Bio
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Kaela Faloon
Kaela Faloon is a proud Canadian whose passion, precision, and presence have carved out an extraordinary career with an undeniable impact. Now based in Los Angeles, Kaela stands as a powerhouse in the dance industry as an accomplished dancer, choreographer, educator, mentor, and the visionary founder of Sensual Heeling Inc. With a career that seamlessly blends commercial excellence and soulful mentorship, Kaela has graced global stages alongside icons such as Drake, Rihanna, Mya, Cassie, Snoop Dogg, Estelle, Meghan Trainor, Nick Jonas, Deborah Cox, and Nelly Furtado. Her versatility and excellence have led her to work alongside legendary choreographers such as Sean Bankhead, Charm LaDonna, Luther Brown, Tanisha Scott, Rhapsody James, and The Squared Division, with credits spanning Netflix, Disney, ESPN, iHeartRadio Music Awards, So You Think You Can Dance, TIFF, We Day, and more. Kaela is a sought-after faculty member at LA’s most prestigious dance studios; TMilly TV, Movement Lifestyle, and Millennium Dance Complex. Her teaching style is grounded in technical precision, artistic depth, and a deep commitment to empowering dancers to move with clarity, confidence and intention. In 2016, Kaela founded Sensual Heeling Inc., a trailblazing heels training company rooted in empowerment, self-expression, and playfulness. With a deeply inclusive approach, Sensual Heeling offers in-person intensives, international workshops, private mentoring, and an online training platform that continues to reach dancers worldwide. Kaela’s legacy is rooted in heart-led leadership, technical excellence, and an unwavering belief in the power of dance as both a discipline and a portal for self-discovery. Whether she’s performing, choreographing, or mentoring, Kaela continues to raise the standard of what it means to be an artist, educator, and a woman in the dance industry. |
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Mr. Gerard McIsaac
A double alumnus of the Canada’s National Ballet School (Professional Ballet Program/Teachers Training Program for Former Pro’s - TTPPD, Dip with Distinction), Mr. McIsaac is a highly recognized, regarded and respected Professional Dance Educator and Ballet Masterclass facilitator; and certainly, one of North Americas’ leaders within dance community at large. His vast and celebrated experience as a Professional Adjudicator (29 years) at regional and national levels is to be commended and he continues to educate, inform and inspire dancers whose desire is to achieve their highest performance potential. Mr. McIsaac has and currently is on faculty as a Resident Classical Ballet Master for competitive dance studios within the Greater Toronto area for decades, instructing students ages 4-21 years of age. He also mentors YOUTH AMERICAN GRAND PRIX and RAD SOLO SEAL participants and boasts an impressive roster of private clientele under his company - DANCE DIRECTION. Mr. McIsaac also facilitates teacher training seminars for a plethora of events, including RHEE GOLD’s DANCEIFE enterprises, and has also developed a comprehensive IN-HOUSE BALLET/DANCE EVALUATION examination program (please contact coordinate below for inquiries). Mr. McIsaac continues to be in high demand as an Intensive and Convention facilitator and is touted as the “Canadian Ballet Guru”! He also has facilitated and choreographed for events such as, ALLEGRO BALLET FESTIVAL, CAMBODIA DANCE CHALLENGE, CANADIAN DANCE EXPO, RAD WORLD CONVENTION “EN AVANTE”, RAD USA DANCE CHALLENGE, DANCE MASTERS OF AMERICA, WORLD PERFORMERS CANADA, ON THE FLOOR, FESTIVAL DU BALLET, DANCE QUEST CANADA, TNT DANCE CONVENTION, VIEW CONVENTION, THE AUDIENCE DANCE REIVALRY, PHEONIX NATIONALS DANCE COMPETITION, IDO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (where he’s choreography ranked in the top 3 in the junior division), and much more. Mr. McIsaac’s official certifications include Diploma with Distinction-NBS Teachers Training Program for Former Pro’s (TTPPD, Dip), Mutually Recognized Teacher-The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD, MRT), Dance Masters of Canada (DMC) and International Dance Teachers Association of Great Britain (IDTA), The Society of Classical Ballet Vaganova Method (SCBVM). He was also the recipient of the 2013 CAROLE CHADWICK AWARD and 2014 SYLVIE M. MCPHEE Awards, presented by NBS ballet faculty for Outstanding Teacher Recognition. Mr. McIsaac also boasts a very extensive professional performance career, including Broadway Musicals such as: CATS (Original Can. Cast/Nat. Tour); MISS SAIGON (London, Eng. - West End); HOME AND AWAY THE MUSICAL, UK Tour; JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, (London, Eng. - West End); SHOWBOAT, (Toronto/US Nat. Tour/London, Eng. – West End); BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, (US Nat. Tour); THE HANDMAID’S TALE and DEATH IN VENICE, (Canadian Opera Company); HAIRSPRAY THE MOVIE!; CANADIAN IDOL SEASON 3; Hinton Battle’s - SYNCHRONICITY (Japan Tour) which also featured Ms. Jennfier Lopez! Mr. McIsaac’s/balletgman (his industry nickname) boundless enthusiasm, professionalism and spirited dedication to the mentoring dance community has been praised applauded from the highest level of dance educators, worldwide. |
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Christina Wladimirov
Christina is a passionate dance educator, choreographer, and mentor with more than 30 years of experience inspiring dancers of all ages and levels. Known for her impactful teaching style, she is dedicated to helping students grow both as artists and as individuals. Whether performing on stage or leading a classroom, Christina's mission remains the same: to enrich lives through movement. By sharing her deep passion for the art form, she strives to help others fall in love with dance. Christina encourages her students to trust themselves, embrace their unique strengths, and pursue their goals with great intention. To her, dance is more than a performance art—it is a way of life. Her professional performance credits include Once Upon a Mouse and One Man's Dream II at Tokyo Disney in Japan; Imaginique at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia with Cirque Productions; performances aboard Holland America Line luxury vessels with Stiletto Entertainment; the Running With Scissors tour with Weird Al Yankovic; assistant dancer to world-renowned magician Jason Latimer in his production Imagineer; Disney's MARY POPPINS at Village Theatre in Seattle Washington; animal character role in Mozart's The Magic Flute with Seattle Opera, background dancer for Susy Sun an indie-pop singer-songwriter and classically-trained pianist in her debut of her album, Wanderlust at The Triple Door Theater, to name a few. Christina holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance from the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment and is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). Her work as an educator and choreographer has earned recognition throughout North America and internationally. She has taught master classes across Canada, United States and Europe, including at the International Dance Camp Festival in Stuttgart, Germany and Dance Centre MYWAY in Kyiv, Ukraine. In Canada, she was on faculty at Holland College School of Performing Arts in Prince Edward Island. Residing in the US for the past 13 years she calls Washington State her home with her husband and daughter. Christina teaches and choreographs at studios throughout the region. She is honored to join the vibrant community of artists at Limelight Nationals as a judge and teacher and looks forward to continuing to inspire, mentor, and share her love of dance at LIMELIGHT NATIONALS. “Some of life's most magical moments happen when you're prepared to seize the right opportunities. The best kind of luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Trust your instincts, put in the work, and stay ready. There is no better feeling than achieving something you've earned through hard work and dedication. |