Utah Dance
Judges
Association
Our mission is to develop, enhance and perpetuate well-trained professional judges for competitive events.
UDJA Fall Workshop
2025-2026
Sat. September 27th
9am-12pm
UHSAA Office | Midvale, Ut
UDJA Presidents
Andrea Taylor
Past 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 Current President
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.
Ashley Hardison President Elect
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.
UDJA Executive Board
Michelle Menlove
Financial
With over 30 years in the dance industry, Michelle Menlove is a distinguished judge and versatile expert in ballet, hip-hop, ballroom, jazz, drill, gymnastics, tap, and choreography. She has won national competitions, held leadership positions, and taught dance for over 17 years. She has judged competitions in Utah for 18 years and created after-school dance programs for local elementary schools. Michelle continues to inspire the next generation of dancers to achieve their highest potential.
Ember Pilati
Public Relations
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
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
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.
Courtney Carsey
Wasatch Rep
Courtney has been involved with dance her entire life, training in various genres and participating as a dancer, choreographer, coach and judge. She was a 5A all-state drill team member, University of Utah Crimson Line dance team member, and previous drill team coach for 9 years. Highlights from her dance career include performances at President Obama’ inaugural parade in Washington D.C., NCAA Fiesta and Sugar Bowl performances, and various NCAA basketball tournaments and appearances.
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.
Krysten Reynolds
Southern Rep
Krysten Reynolds has been a part of the drill team world for over 30 years. She coached the Canyon View High School Drill Team for 15 years. She had many accolades during that time including winning region, state and national titles. She was a two time 3A coach of the year and was also named the Utah Drill team Coach of the year in 2011. She has been judging drill team for 9 years.
