D2D Round 7 JUDGES
AKIRA UCHIDA
Based in NYC, Ottawa-born AKIRA UCHIDA is a dancer, choreographer, and director whose work sits at the intersection of movement, film, animation, fashion, and photography. He has choreographed and movement-directed for music artists including Florence and the Machine, HAAi, Leon Vynehall, Saint Levant, INJI, and Flyana Boss, and has performed with Bad Bunny on SNL as well as in Ariana Grande’s “Yes, And?” music video.
His work extends into the fashion space through collaborations with brands such as Nike, Reebok, CNCPTS, Juicy Couture, Puma, Private Policy, and Lu’u Dan. Akira has presented work at Fire Island Dance Festival and Battery Dance Festival, and has created choreography for Point Park University, the Juilliard School Summer Intensive, and CLI Conservatory. He was recently named an Emerging Choreographer at Springboard Danse 2025.
His recent films Love Tempo, What A Place, and STILL, the latter commissioned by the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, premiered on NOWNESS. He is also a resident choreographer at Play Me Techno, an underground performance rave in Brooklyn.
Alongside his artistic and commercial work, Akira is deeply committed to teaching and mentorship. He regularly leads workshops and pop-up classes across the NYC dance scene, is a faculty member with JUMP Dance Convention, and serves as a board member at Share The Movement, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and expanding opportunities for young BIPOC dancers.
IKER KARRERA is a choreographer and director based in Madrid. He runs his own contemporary dance company and also works as a freelance choreographer on major theater, film, and television productions.
His latest dance film, Heartache, won major international awards and has been screened at various festivals worldwide to great acclaim.
As a dance educator, and after more than 20 years of teaching experience, he decided to create his own school and artistic project: 180, driven by his firm belief in the transformative power of dance and its ability to connect with and inspire people.
In recent years, he has established himself as one of the most influential figures in contemporary dance and musical theater in Spain, combining original artistic projects with productions aimed at a wider audience
JULIE MCDONALD
Co-Owner of McDonald Selznick Associates (MSA)
The visionary co-owner of McDonald Selznick Associates (MSA) and a trailblazer in dance and choreography representation. In 1985, she launched the first talent agency devoted exclusively to dance, setting a new standard for advocacy, professionalism, and artistic excellence in the industry.From the outset, Julie championed fair terms and improved working conditions for dancers and choreographers, tirelessly promoting the visibility and integrity of commercial dance. In 2000, she joined forces with Tony Selznick to found MSA, which today represents a roster of award‑winning talent. Her clients have earned Emmy, Tony, MTV, and MTV Awards—while leading the creative teams behind Broadway hits, Las Vegas spectaculars, high‑profile films, television dramas, sitcoms, and major awards shows (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar).
A dedicated collaborator and industry visionary, Julie co-created the American Choreography Awards (1994–2004), celebrating excellence in dance across media. Her pioneering work has been recognized with Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the Choreographers Carnival, McCallum’s Choreography Festival, and the Trailblazer Award from Dancers Against Cancer.Through her ongoing projects and continued leadership, Julie McDonald remains a powerful force in shaping the future of dance, honoring dance history, and empowering the artists who bring dance to life.
sarah elgart
Award-Winning Director/Choreographer & Founder of D2D
Sarah Elgart is a Los Angeles based choreographer and director working under the auspice of Sarah Elgart | Arrogant Elbow. Sarah creates original content for stage, screen, and site-specific venues. Her stage and site-works have been performed at alternative spaces including LAX Airport, The Skirball Center, Mark Taper Forum, Van Nuys Flyaway, The Bradbury Building, Jacob’s Pillow, INSITU Site- Specific Festival NY, and Loft Seven, where she created a rooftop work lit entirely by a hovering helicopter accompanied by Nels Cline (Wilco). Her work has been produced by venues including The Music Center, MASS MoCA, Dance Place, Los Angeles Theater Center, Mark Taper Forum and The International Women’s Theater Festival. In film Sarah has worked with noted directors including JJ Abrams, David Lynch, Catherine Hardwicke, and Anton Corbijn. Her own films include award-winning music videos, dance shorts, and an Emmy nominated PSA, and continue to be accepted into festivals internationally. In addition to teaching dance and film, Sarah writes a regular column, ScreenDance Diaries that focuses on the intersections of both genres internationally for online magazine Cultural Weekly.
Our acclaimed panel of judges come from both the worlds of dance & film and have included:
Kyle Abraham
Director/Choreographer and Founder of A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham
Jasmine Albuquerque
Award-Winning LA-based Dancer/Choreographer
Karol Armitage
Artistic Director of Armitage Gone! Dance
Casey Brooks
Director of commercials & dance films
Peter Chu
Founder/Director: chuthis, Choreographer,
Dancer: Kidd Pivot, Aszure Barton & Artists, Cirque du Soleil
E. Moncell Durden
Assistant Professor of Practice USC Kaufman School of Dance, Dancer, Historian,
Ethnographer, Author, Documentarian
Kristy Edmunds
Executive & Artistic Director of UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance (CAP UCLA),
Artist, Curator, Frequent Keynote Speaker
Valerie Faris
Award-Winning Director (with Jonathan Dayton) Little Miss Sunshine
Katherine Helen Fisher
Choreographer, Director & Founder of Safety Third Productions
Stephen Galloway
Go-To Creative Movement Director for the world's most progressive brands
d. Sabela grimes
Rockefeller Artist, Choreographer, Composer,
& Educator at USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance
Ben Johnson
Director of Performing Arts for the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
Louise Lecavalier
Award-Winning Dancer/Choreographer & Former Muse of La La La Human Steps
Rosalynde LeBlanc Loo
Chair of Dance Program Loyola Marymount University – LMU, Choreographer,
Dancer: Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane, White Oak
Julie McDonald
Agent, Co-Founder McDonald Selznick Associates
Nina McNeely
Emmy-Winning Choreographer/Director
Renae Williams Niles
Principal, Renae WN Consulting
Former Associate Dean of Administration & COO for the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance at USC
Vincent Paterson
Award-Winning Choreographer & Director
Desmond Richardson
Tony Nominated Dancer & Educator
Co-Founder & Co-Artistic Director Complexions Contemporary Ballet
Benjamin Seroussi
Creative Filmmaker
Tony Testa
Award-Winning Choreographer, TED X Fellow
Rick Tjia
Choreographer/Casting Director for Cirque Du Soleil,
Former Dancer La La La Human Steps