Utah Dance Judges Association
Our mission is to develop, enhance and perpetuate well-trained professional judges for competitive events.
UDJA Registration is now Closed
For the 2023-2024 Season
Please check back in July 2024 to join UDJA for next season ​
UDJA Presidents
Shari Bradley
Past President
Shari has been a UDJA member for the past 15 years. She is a current judge with UHSAA and has been a judge in the midwest for the past 30 years. She was a former drill coach and cheer coach for over 25 years. She has a BS degree in Dance Education and Masters's degree in Administration.
Andrea Taylor
Current President
Andrea Taylor has been a certified UHSAA dance and drill judge for 23 years. She is a former drill team coach and high school dance teacher. She was a 3 year high school drill team member, team captain, and named to the All-State team. Andrea loves judging and the opportunity it allows her to give back to the sport of dance.
Marie Welch
President Elect
Marie graduated with a minor in Dance and has over 50 years of dance experience including performer, choreographer, teacher, coach, and producer. She is a certified UHSAA judge and has judged Studio and Drill for over 15 years in Utah, Idaho, and Nevada.
UDJA Vice Presidents
Michelle Menlove
Financial VP
Michelle Menlove
Ember Pilati
Public Relations VP
Ember Pilati has a BS degree in Dance Education. She owned & directed a Regional and National Championship Dance Studio for 7 years and has been a UHSAA certified judge for over 20 years. She has created Regional, State and National Championship Choreography for 18 years. Ember has served as Public Relations Vice President For the Utah Dance Judges Association for over 5 years.
Kayleigh Edwards
Professional Development VP
Kayleigh started dancing at the age of 8 and has trained in various styles of dance such as, Ballroom, Jazz, Ballet, and Hip Hop. She was a member of her high school drill team for 2 years. She has been judging for about 4 years and loves seeing the amazing talent we have here in Utah.
Alisha Staggs
Admin/Membership VP
Alisha Staggs has been involved in dance for 35+ years. She has been a dancer for studio, drill, college, and on a professional level. Alisha has taught and choreographed for 25+ years including coaching a high school drill team for 17 years. She has been a dance/drill judge since 2004.
UDJA Area Representatives
Brandy Rowley
Northern Rep
Brandy Rowley has been involved with dance and drill for over 30 years. She was a drill coach for 8 years. She has been a certified drill judge for over 20 years.
Brandy works for the Box Elder School District and is the current Director/Owner of Dance It Out Studio in Tremonton.
Ashley Hardison
Wasatch Rep
Ashley Hardison has participated on an All-Star cheer team, high school drill team and the UVU Dance Team. She coached the UVU Dance Team, then Weber State Dance Team, and returned to UVU in 2015 as Coordinator of the UVU Spirit Squad that were awarded 4 National Titles and Gold Medal
World Championship.
Nicole Jeffs
Central Rep
Nicole earned her Bachelor's degree in Dance Education from BYU. She has been a UHSAA certified drill team judge for 20+ years and has been a member of UDJA since it began in 2005. She has 20+ years of experience teaching and choreographing for private dance studios; and four years teaching and choreographing as a public school teacher.
Shauna Blake
Southern Rep
Shauna Blake has been an active member of the Dance and Drill Team Community for over 30 years. She is well versed in numerous dance styles and has over 22 years of coaching and judging experience. Shauna has a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a Masters Degree in Education Curriculum Design.