Fifteen seasons in, and we're marking the milestone with one of the most experienced qualifier panels we've ever put together. These six adjudicators will be scoring across the That's Showbiz Qualifiers for our 2026/27 15th Anniversary Season, starting with our first qualifier at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall.
Industry Judges Who've Been There and Done It
Every judge on our panel has worked in the professional industry. Between them they have danced in the West End, performed with leading ballet companies across Europe, appeared on Britain's Got Talent and Strictly, and danced behind artists including Dua Lipa, Kylie Minogue and Stormzy. They have also choreographed for TV and theatre, trained at the Royal Ballet School and Laine Theatre Arts, and gone on to run casting departments and dance colleges.
That range matters. We've built a balanced panel across the whole qualifier season that covers ballet, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, tap, commercial and street. Every routine is judged by someone who understands its style from the inside. Our adjudicators score using the That's Showbiz judging framework. Judging is always subjective, which is why we work hard to put together the best and most rounded panels we can, whatever level groups compete at.
Meet the Judges
Michelle Potter
West End & Musical Theatre · Jazz · Ballet · Commercial
★ Returning AdjudicatorMichelle trained at Laine Theatre Arts, one of the UK's leading musical theatre colleges, building a strong foundation in dance, musical theatre and performance. In the West End she performed in Mamma Mia! across three of its London homes: the Prince Edward, Prince of Wales and Novello Theatres. Her UK theatre credits include Sex Chips & Rock 'n' Roll at Manchester's Royal Exchange and Summer Holiday at Blackpool Opera House. Abroad, she has performed in Cats and The Sound of Music in Cyprus, and she has played Cinderella in pantomimes across the UK. Michelle is experienced in jazz, ballet and commercial dance. She brings together technical knowledge and real stage experience, and she is passionate about supporting dancers at every level. We're delighted to welcome her back to the panel.
Rio Liam
Street & Commercial · Ballet · Modern · Tap
★ Returning AdjudicatorRio started dancing at seven at Dawson's Academy of Dance & Stage in Bolton, training in RAD Ballet, ISTD Modern and Tap, before going on to Dolphin Dance Studios in Liverpool. In 2011 he was crowned IDTA Dance Master Champion of Great Britain. He has choreographed and competed in street solos and teams at the highest level, including UDO and the IDF World Championships in Italy. On stage, he appeared in the first ever production of Our Day Out: The Musical, based on Willy Russell's Liverpool story. On screen, he has worked on The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, Brassic and Hollyoaks, the last as dancer and assistant choreographer, along with projects for Sky One, BBC, ITV and Sky Sports. His choreography credits include Peter Pan in St Helens, and he was assistant choreographer on 101 Dalmatians and Stepping Out at the Oldham Coliseum. Rio has worked alongside Snow Patrol, Beverley Knight, Russell Watson, Michelle Keegan and Ray Quinn. Today he judges competitions nationwide and leads workshops in schools and colleges, and many of his students have gone on to dance college and professional careers.
Marisa Rossi
Jazz · Contemporary · Theatre
Originally from Delaware, USA, Marisa earned a BFA in Dance with a jazz concentration from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Her performance credits include works by Emmy-winning choreographer Tyce Diorio and by modern dance pioneer Martha Graham. She has danced with The Pillow Project, Holland America's StepOne, and the first national tour of The Thorn. Since moving to the UK she has worked with E&L Entertainment, Response Theatre Company and the West End Theatre Choir, and she now works freelance across dance and theatre in London. Marisa brings a rich American jazz training and a performer's eye for musicality, technique and storytelling.
Olivia Jane Taylor
Dance Education · Performance · Casting
★ Returning AdjudicatorOlivia graduated with a BA (Hons) in Dance from York St John University and became Head of Dance at Oscar's Theatre School in Huddersfield. She then joined Haven Theatre Company as a performer, moved into the role of Event Coordinator, and launched Stage Academy across Haven resorts before becoming Rehearsal Director. After working as Entertainment Casting Support Partner at Parkdean Resorts, she joined TAG Live in 2022. She is now Casting Manager, running the department that recruits performers for entertainment projects around the world. In 2026 she led the launch of TAG Talent, an online casting platform connecting performers, agents and clients. Few people know better what the industry looks for in a performer, and she brings that insight straight to the judging table. We're thrilled to have Olivia back with us.
Victoria Mudima
Commercial · TV & Live Shows · Music Video
Victoria graduated from Addict Dance Academy in 2016 and has since become one of the UK's most in-demand commercial dancers. She has performed with Dua Lipa, Robbie Williams, Camila Cabello, Kylie Minogue, Stormzy, Rita Ora, Mabel, Tyla, Leigh-Anne, Drake, Black Eyed Peas, Take That and Muse. Her awards-show credits include the Brit Awards, MTV EMAs, MOBO Awards, the Royal Variety Show and Top of the Pops. On TV, she has appeared on Britain's Got Talent, Strictly, Dancing On Ice, The Masked Dancer, The Masked Singer and The Greatest Dancer. Her biggest live stages include the UEFA Champions League Final, the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony, Wireless, BST Hyde Park and Reading & Leeds. She also appears in the film Better Man and in Clean Bandit and Mabel's Tick Tock video, and she has worked with choreographers including Ashley Wallen, Fatima Robinson, Kim Gavin and Oti Mabuse. With over ten years of teaching and mentoring behind her, Victoria brings a real industry eye to the panel. Her aim is for every performer to leave the stage inspired.
George Hill
Classical Ballet · Contemporary · Musical Theatre
★ Returning AdjudicatorGeorge trained at the Royal Ballet School in London. While still a student he danced with The Royal Ballet and toured with Birmingham Royal Ballet. He won the Lynn Seymour Award for expressive dance, was a Young British Dancer of the Year finalist in 2003, and in 2004 reached the final of the RAD Adeline Genée at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Greece. His professional career took him to Semperoper Ballet in Dresden and Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam, touring Europe, Asia and America. He danced soloist and principal roles in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, La Bayadère, Giselle and Sleeping Beauty, and worked with Forsythe, Kylián and Mats Ek. Beyond ballet, he starred in the German premiere of Tabaluga the Musical, and he created and starred in McQueen The Play at the Haymarket Theatre in the West End. His wider credits include music videos for The 1975 and modelling for Prada and Moschino. George is now Artistic Director of Bath Dance College, and he guest teaches for the IDTA, Dance Teacher Web Las Vegas and Move It.
Why Our Judging Panel Matters
Being judged by working professionals means dancers get results that reflect what the real industry expects. Whether a group is stepping on stage for their first competition or pushing for a place at the Finals, our adjudicators judge with experience, fairness and encouragement. That's a big part of why schools have trusted That's Showbiz for fifteen years.
Frequently Asked Questions
We can't wait to see you at the qualifiers! 💜
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the judges for the That's Showbiz 2026/27 qualifiers?
The 15th Anniversary Season qualifier panel features six professional adjudicators: Michelle Potter, Rio Liam, Marisa Rossi, Victoria Mudima, George Hill and Olivia Jane Taylor. Together they bring West End, television, ballet and commercial dance experience across every genre That's Showbiz groups compete in.
Is That's Showbiz a professional dance competition?
Yes. That's Showbiz is a professionally judged group dance competition, now in its 15th anniversary season. Every qualifier is scored by working industry professionals from West End theatre, television, ballet and commercial dance, so schools receive expert, credible adjudication at each event.
What makes That's Showbiz one of the best group dance competitions in the UK?
Dance schools choose That's Showbiz for its professional adjudication panel, well-organised qualifiers and Blackpool Finals, and 15 years of running group dance competitions across the UK. Schools compete in four genres across three levels, from Spotlight for developing schools to Prestige for experienced schools.
How are That's Showbiz qualifiers judged?
Every qualifier is scored by professional adjudicators with backgrounds in West End theatre, television, ballet and commercial dance. Judges mark each routine across choreography, technique and performance at one of the UK's best-run dance competitions.
Where are the That's Showbiz 2026/27 qualifiers held?
That's Showbiz qualifiers take place at venues across the UK throughout the 2026/27 season, with qualifying schools earning a place at the Blackpool Finals. Full qualifier dates and venues are listed on the Events page.