Judges
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Kevin Holland - Audition Adjudicator
Kevin Holland is a versatile circus performer with a strong foundation in both aerial arts and dance. After earning a BFA in Dance from California State University, Long Beach, Kevin has gone on to tour nationally with Vampire Circus for two seasons and Santa’s Circus for Christmas, captivating audiences across the country. Alongside performing, Kevin has taught aerial masterclasses to all ages, worked as a stunt performer for a national commercial for Dixie Consumer Products, performed in Terry Beeman’s “Mental Head Circus”, performed in the groundbreaking ceremony for San Francisco Chase Center, and other independent productions in Los Angeles. He also performed in renowned circus festivals such as the West Coast Aerial Arts Festival, VIVAfest, and the San Diego Circus Festival, and has judged at West Coast Aerial Arts Festival for the past 3 years.
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Annie Dugan - Panel Adjudicator
Annie is the founder and Executive Producer of the Alberta Circus Arts Festival, which celebrated its 5th anniversary in June. She is also the co-founder and Artistic Director of Firefly Theatre & Circus, a company that has blended the spectacle of circus with theatrical storytelling for 25 years. Firefly’s boundary-pushing productions have taken place in theatres, on rooftops and walls, in fountains, streets, and Spiegeltents. Annie has been recognized with a Mayor’s Award for Innovative Artistic Direction, a Canada 150 Medal, and was named one of Global TV’s Women of Vision.
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Léda Davies
Léda Davies is a Calgary-based circus artist specializing in aerial silks, straps, Weggsphere, and acrobatic dance. She trained in Montreal with coaches from Cirque du Soleil, the National Circus School, Théâtre Dynamo, and the Manitoulin Conservatory for Performance and Creation.
Léda is the co-founder of the Screaming Goats Collective, a non-profit creating circus shows that tell stories for social change. Their debut work, Persephone Bound, was nominated for five Montreal English Theatre Awards and won two, including Outstanding Contribution to Theatre. The film adaptation won the Circus International Film Festival’s full-length category.
Léda holds an MFA in Theatre Practice from the University of Alberta, where she focused on integrating aerial circus into theatrical performance. She has taught at the University of Calgary, University of Alberta, Firefly Theatre, and Green Fools Theatre.
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Deanne Matley - Panel Adjudicator
Deanne Matley is an acclaimed vocalist and performer based out of Montreal, whose career spans musical theatre, big band, cabaret, and recording chart-topping songs. She has enchanted audiences worldwide with her expressive voice, commanding stage presence, and gift for telling stories through music. From starring in celebrated musical theatre productions to fronting swinging big bands and performing in both cabaret and full-scale theatre stage productions with Le Cirque de la Nuit, Deanne’s artistry blends technical precision with emotional depth. Her diverse experience across genres and disciplines gives her a rare insight into the fusion of musicality and performance that creates unforgettable, world-class entertainment.
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To Be Revealed
We’re bringing in local professionals and specialists from within the community. They’ll be revealed as we near the event date.
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To Be Revealed
We’re bringing in local professionals and specialists from within the community. They’ll be revealed as we near the event date.