QUISPAMSIS ~ MAY 7-10, 2026
QPLEX
QPLEX
NAOMI COSTAIN
JUDGE
Naomi is an accomplished musical theatre performer, dancer, choreographer, director and teacher. She has performed in seven seasons at the Stratford Festival. Favourite roles there include Anne Riley in 42nd Street, Edith in The Pirates of Penzance, the Tango Dancer in Evita and Oklahoma!, My One and Only, Gigi, My Fair Lady, Cabaret and Oliver! (Stratford). Other favourite roles include Janet Van De Graff in The Drowsy Chaperone (MTC/ Theatre Calgary), Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Segal Centre), Brooke in Legally Blonde, Roxie in Chicago, Bombalurina Dance Captain of Cats (Neptune Theatre), Bebe in A Chorus Line, Norma in Victor, Victoria, Ursula in Sweet Charity (Stage West), and Ariel (the Little Mermaid) for Disney. Most recently she played Emily in Elf (Chemainus, BC.) and Jack’s mom/ Cinderella’s Stepmother in Into the Woods (The Grove Theatre). Naomi was assistant director for an episode of Murdoch Mysteries and was also the Music Supervisor for their only musical episode “Why is Everybody Singing” (CBC Gem). Selected Creative theatre credits include Director/ Choreographer of The Sound of Music (Thousand Islands Playhouse), the premier musicals A Christmas Carol (TNB and STC- Choreographer/ Assoc. Dir) and Norm Foster’s For Life at the Sudbury Theatre Centre (Choreo + actor), Cinderella + Shrek (Director/ Choreo- CCPA), Urinetown (Choreo/ Assoc Dir- CCPA), The Wedding Singer (Director/ Chor at St. Lawrence College). Hogtown (Co-Choreo/ Asst. Director-Toronto), Sister Act (Choreo-The L.O.T.). Upcoming- Director of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Chemainus, BC). She completed three summers at The Banff Centre (Ballet Program), received her Musical Theatre Diploma from Laine Theatre Arts in London, England and has her Advanced RAD Ballet (studied Solo Seal) and Advanced ISTD Modern. She has adjudicated across Canada, taught at CCPA, STU, George Brown, and has been on faculty at Randolph Academy, Holland College and Sheridan College. She has also been a guest teacher at dozens of dance studios across Ontario.
Naomi is energetic, passionate and driven to pass on her knowledge and love of dance and theatre.
DANNY DAVALOS
JUDGE
Danny Davalos is an internationally recognized dancer, choreographer, and creative director with a career spanning over a decade across stage, film, television, and live events. He is the co-creator and co-owner of the all-female dance company Badass Babes, which recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary and continues to expand its presence across Canada.
Danny has performed and toured worldwide with major recording artists including Rihanna, Ricky Martin, Shakira, Sean Paul, and Selena Gomez. His credits include live tours, televised performances, and music video appearances. He has also worked alongside Shawn Desman, most recently appearing in the closing show of the Back to Life Tour in Toronto. His film credits include Shall We Dance with Jennifer Lopez and the documentary Michael Jackson’s This Is It. His television credits include serving as lead choreographer for the series Popstars The One, host and producer of Get Up and Dance on BPM TV, and assistant choreographer for So You Think You Can Dance Canada across its first three seasons. Danny has performed on major stages including the Much Music Video Awards, Juno Awards, and MTV, as well as the Carnival Choreographer’s Ball.
Beyond performance, Danny has established himself as a respected creative and educator. He is part of the faculty at Choreography Online, working alongside some of the industry’s leading creatives, and has been a member of the creative team for Monsters of Hip Hop, where he assisted renowned choreographer Luther Brown. He has also worked as an assistant choreographer with the Cirque du Soleil team for the PanAm Opening Ceremonies. Today, Danny continues to focus on developing talent, expanding his creative projects, and building platforms that empower the next generation of dancers while maintaining an active presence in the international dance community.
MALLORY ZWICKER
JUDGE
Mallory Zwicker is a dedicated dance educator from Nova Scotia whose lifelong passion for movement began in her teenage years. Immersed in a variety of dance genres, she trained at numerous studios across Nova Scotia and expanded her experience through master classes in cities such as New York, Calgary, and Ottawa. With 18 years of experience as a gymnast, Mallory’s love of movement transitioned naturally into her career as a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor. A graduate of the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts’ Dance Teacher Training Program, she studied extensively under highly acclaimed dance professionals. She holds certifications in Jazz, Ballet, Modern, and Acro through the Canadian Dance Teachers Association, as well as additional teaching certifications in Progressive Ballet Technique. Most recently, Mallory completed the two-year ADAPT Tap and Jazz Teacher Training School and became a certified Body Harmonics Pilates instructor to further her expertise in fitness and injury prevention. Mallory has served as an instructor at respected institutions such as the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts and as the Artistic Director of Nova Dance Studio. In May 2017, she founded her own studio—plan A dance inc.—where she continues to nurture dancers of all ages and levels. Under her mentorship, many of her students have gone on to achieve remarkable success, including acceptance into prestigious arts schools and outstanding performances at national dance competitions. Beyond her studio, Mallory travels to share her expertise as an adjudicator, teacher, and choreographer. She holds Level 2 Adjudication Certification through The Dance Leadership Institute, allowing her to provide thoughtful, constructive feedback to the next generation of dancers. Her evolving skills in choreography and technical instruction have earned her dancers opportunities across North America. Driven by a commitment to excellence, Mallory continues to pursue ongoing professional development, always striving to grow as both an educator and artist.
JUSTIN JACKSON
HOST
Justin Jackson is an award winning performing artist originally from Montreal with a career spanning over 20 years as a dancer, choreographer, judge, tv personality and emcee.
He landed his first feature role acting and dancing in the Caillou Television Show in 2001.
He was a TOP 40 finalist on the hit show So You Think You Can Dance Canada Season 3, A semi finalist on the most watched television show of all time America’s Got Talent Season 18, a recent contestant on Portugal Got Talent Season 10, And a semi finalist on Révolution Season 3.
He's been featured on The Wendy Williams Show in New York, The Jennifer Hudson Show in L.A, The International Jazz Festival and The Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, In the Fall campaign for Aldo Shoes, performed with Cirque Éloize (televised across Canada, Europe and all the French-speaking colonies in the world), The Vancouver Olympics, CTV, CP24, TVA, PBS Kids, Breakfast Television, Bell Media and Crave TV.
Primarily known as a tap dancer… but fun fact! — he’s professionally trained in Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Ballet. Throughout his career he’s made acting appearances in Working Moms, Umbrella Academy and No Sleep 'Til Christmas on Netflix and Disney Plus. Most recently he was on set for a Porter Airlines commercial.