Tanya Karn Joins Imagine Dance Challenge As its Newest Judge

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Acclaimed dancer/choreographer Tanya Karn will share her expertise with a new generation as the newest judge with the Imagine Dance Challenge.

In her new role the veteran dancer will adjudicate performances of all styles (tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, acrobatics, open) of dancers ages 4 to adult as part of the popular dance competitions.

“I was attracted to Imagine Dance Challenge because of the owner, Shaun,” Karn said. “So many dance competitions are business-centered and designed to focus on the income and profit of the event. Shaun cares about the dancers who are attending the event, and what they will leave with, following their experience. Imagine prides themselves on the level of adjudicators they hire and the critiques and judgements they provide, to ensure that every single dancer learns and grows from their events.”

Imagine Dance Challenge presents dance competitions around the country that aim to give students the opportunity to hone their talents and have an impact on their world through their love for dance.

“When judging, I look at a wide array of criteria. I study their fundamental technique and give my advice on how they could better execute their movement, including training exercises,” Karn said. “I judge the execution of their style, and how they connect and transition between their technical elements. But one of my favorite criteria to judge is their overall performance quality. Are they telling a story? Are they connecting with their audience? Are they pulling us into their world so we can experience their performance with them rather than watch as an outsider?”

For Karn, arriving at Imagine Dance Challenge is another way to give back to the world of dance that has given her a successful career and unique relationships with some of the industry’s top talents.

Karn is known for her work as a choreographer and dancer on television and films such as the Nickelodeon series “Make It Pop” produced by Nick Cannon, where she served as the lead dancer in 40 episodes. Her other work includes the acclaimed Canadian Juno Music Awards as well as TV series like “The Next Step”, “L.A. Complex,” “Warehouse 13,” “Harriet the Spy,” “Breakaway,” and many others.