2024 BBDC Staff
In Memory of Jay Larson
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Jay Larson was scheduled to be a judge at BBDC 2024. The Badger Ballroom community was deeply saddened to learn that he passed away on October 4, 2024, just eight days before the competition.
Jay was a United States Professional 9 Dance Champion and a 3 time North American 9 Dance Champion. He was also a teacher, coach, judge and emcee in the world of social and competition ballroom dancing. At one point, he was an owner of dance studios and was a founding member and performer in the 12-year run of the Beyond Ballroom Dance Company. Later on, however, he was happy just to introduce people to ballroom dance and to help them learn and enjoy all the ways that it can enrich our lives. Jay loved being around the energy and vibrancy of collegiate dancers! He will be missed.
Right before the smooth awards at BBDC, a memorial waltz was held in honor of Jay.
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Yuehwern Yih - Judge
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Yuehwern Yih is a Certified Chair of Adjudicators with World Dancesport Federation (WDSF) and USA Dance, Championship Licensed Adjudicator by the North American Dancesport Teachers Association and WDSF, and Certified Scrutineer with the National Dance Council of America. She is the founder and head coach of the Purdue Latin & Ballroom Dance Competition Team, training thousands of dancers since 1995, producing several USA Dance Champions and finalists, professionals, and studio owners.
In addition, Yuehwern is the Tompkins Professor of Industrial Engineering and the Director of Smart Operations and Systems (SOS) Lab at Purdue University, specializing in system engineering in supply chains, healthcare, and humanitarian assistance.
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Daniel Dilley - Judge and Scrutineer
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Daniel Dilley is a certified Scrutineer with the National Dance Council of America (NDCA) and the owner of the O2CM competition management system.
Daniel is an alum of Purdue University, where he currently coaches the ballroom team with his partner Yuehwern. |
Samantha Trinidad - Judge
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Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Samantha began her journey at the age of four with classical dance training and later went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Shortly after graduation in 2007, Samantha began training with several national champions and has been teaching all styles of ballroom and Latin for over fifteen years. In 2018, she opened her own dance studio, Madison Ballroom Company in Madison, WI. Samantha competed in the Professional American Smooth division and is a Rising Star and Open Finalist.
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Chris Spaulding - Judge
No biography available
Kelly Spaulding - Judge
No biography available
Donald Johnson - Judge
No biography available
Kevin Guy - DJ
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Kevin is a ballroom dance teacher and music director residing in the South Bend, IN area. He and his wife Michelle travel much of the Midwest to bring you the best and newest selections in dance music. Kevin has been serving as Music Director for many collegiate dance competitions for over 20 years and was recently invited to be the Music Director for a USA Dance competition in Tallahassee, Florida. Kevin and Michelle are also likely to look for an escape room to unlock after the comp…
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Andrea Mirenda - MC
No biography available
