Over the years, Judy’s students have shared much success, winning countless awards and titles at various step dance and talent contests throughout Ontario and the United States.
As a result, Judy has achieved much acclaim through the creation of groups such as “Double Take”, who won the Youth Talent International Contest in Memphis, Tennessee and later went on to audition for CBS in Hollywood, California. Other successful groups like “Rainbow Connection” and “Powerhouse” have had the privilege of holding the Canadian Open Group Dance Championship for five and four consecutive years respectively.
Presently, many of Judy’s students have moved on to teaching positions themselves and some have become professional entertainers. The Guse Family from Waterloo, Ontario entertains on a full-time basis, in dinner theatres and on cruise ships. Dan Stacey has been a member of Seven Nation, a Celtic Rock group, however has went on to be a founding member of Step Crew and freelances with such well known acts as Loreena McKennitt and Cherish the Ladies. Other students have performed in television commercials as well as on popular programs, including the Statler Brothers Show, viewed on T.N.N.
They have graced the stages at many prestigious functions including the Calgary Stampede, Miami Fun and Fiddle Festival, Dartmouth’s Maritime Old Tyme Fiddle Contest, the Hee Haw Competition at the Grand Ole’ Opry, National Clogging Convention at the Opryland Hotel, Downtown Magic Music Days at Downtown Disney in Orlando, Florida, Warren County Fair in Erie, Pennsylvania, World-Fest ’97 and ’11 at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, the Princess of Wales Theatre Production of “Needfire”, the musical “Swingstep” and other locations throughout the United States and Canada.
Judy is indeed very proud of the accomplishments of her students and is pleased to be in a position of promote and pass on this unique Canadian Folk Art called “Step Dancing”.