All-Stars
-
Chelsie Hightower
Season 4
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Style: Ballroom
Chelsie Hightower was born in Las Vegas, NV, but raised in Orem, UT (what’s up with all the SYTYCD alumni coming from Orem?) Chelsie began dancing when she was 9 years old and won her first national ballroom dance title when she was just 11. She has represented the U.S. at some of the world’s most prestigious ballroom competitions, and has won... -
Stephen “tWitch” Boss
Season 4
Hometown: Montgomery, AL
Style: Hip Hop
Stephen “tWitch” Boss got his nickname from his non-stop need to “pop and tick” anywhere and everywhere. Since some locations didn’t allow him the freedom to get up and dance, he took to small twitchy movements — hence the name “tWitch.” He moved to L.A. to pursue his dream of becoming a dancer, and ended up attending Orange County’s Chapman... -
Comfort Fedoke
Season 4
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Style: Hip Hop
Comfort Fedoke started dancing at the age of 13 on the streets of Dallas, TX. She learned to dance by watching video tutorials, and imitating her idols, Michael and Janet Jackson. Since her days of hip hopping on Season 4 of SYTYCD, Comfort went on dance in the Michael Jackson Tribute Tour, and has been featured in various movies and music videos.... -
Ellenore Scott
Season 6
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Style: Contemporary
Ellenore Scott resides in New York City, where she is a freelance dancer and choreographer. She trained in the fellowship program at the Alvin Ailey school on scholarship, and has since performed with the Von Howard Project, jill sigman/thinkdance, Pedro Ruiz, and nathantrice/RITUALS. Since making it to the Top 4 on Season 6, Ellenore has danced... -
Ivan Koumaev
Season 2
Hometown: Khabarovsk, Siberia, Russia
Style: Hip Hop
Ivan Koumaev was born in Russia, but moved to Mill Creek, WA when he was 7 years old. He was driven to dance at age 11, after seeing the film Breakin’. In 2006 — while still in high school — he moved to L.A. to further pursue dance. He was part of the Hannah Montana Tour and made it to the Final 6 on Season 2 of SYTYCD. Most recently,... -
Jaimie Goodwin
Season 3
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Style: Contemporary
Jaimie “Jaims” Goodwin made her mark in SYTYCD history during Season 3, when she and b-boy Hok Konishi danced a stunning, award-winning contemporary routine choreographed by Wade Robson called The Hummingbird and Flower. Jaimie began dancing at the age of 7 with Denise Wall — mother of SYTYCD alumni Travis Wall and Danny Tidwell. After... -
Janette Manrara
Season 5
Hometown: Miami, FL
Style: Ballroom/Latin
Janette Manrara brought some serious Miami heat all the way to the Top 8 of Season 5. When she was 12, she made her dancing start in musical theater. Seven years later, she transitioned into more formal training in ballroom, salsa, jazz, ballet, pointe, and hip hop. She attended Florida International University with a focus on finance. Since her ... -
Kathryn McCormick
Season 6
Hometown: Augusta, GA
Style: Contemporary
Kathryn McCormick decided she wanted to be a professional dancer during her junior year of high school — while competing with her home studio — Augusta West. Before appearing on Season 6 of SYTYCD and making it to the Top 3, Kathryn was featured as a supporting dancer in the 2008 film FAME. She has also been featured in routines choreographed by... -
Kent Boyd
Season 7
Hometown: Wapakoneta, OH
Style: Contemporary
Kent Boyd was the runner-up on Season 7 of SYTYCD. You can’t get more all-American than this small town, homecoming king, who’s been dancing since he was 8 years old. He hopes to continue to build his dance resume, and boost his acting creds as well. Lately, he has been working in the dance convention circuit, teaching, and improving his acting... -
Lauren Froderman
Season 7
Hometown: Pheonix, AZ
Style: Contemporary
Lauren Froderman earned the title of “America’s Favorite Dancer” on Season 7 of SYTYCD. Prior to competing on the show, she put her talent to good use in the competition and convention circuit. She attributes her success on the show to her time spent as a choreographer’s assistant at the JUMP Dance Convention. Since her win on the show, Lauren... -
Allison Holker
Season 2
Hometown: Orem, UT
Style: Contemporary
When Allison was 9 years old, she began dancing at The Dance Club in Orem, UT. She trained formally in contemporary, ballet, jazz, and tap. In 2002, she danced in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Salt Lake City Olympic Games. Since her time on SYTYCD, Allison went on to perform in the tap show Revolution at NYC’s famous Joyce Theater. Other... -
Lauren Gottlieb
Season 3
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Style: Contemporary
Lauren Gottlieb is trained in jazz, contemporary, hip hop, ballet, and tap. She moved to L.A. in 2006 to pursue her dancing career, and prior to competing on SYTYCD, Lauren assisted choreographer Tyce Diorio on the show. This caused a bit of conflict for the judges when selecting Season 3’s Top 20, but Lauren excelled and made it all the way to... -
Melody Lacayanga
Season 1
Hometown: Daly City, CA
Style: Contemporary
Melody Lacayanga was the Season 1 runner-up, and her best bud, Nick Lazzarini, won that season. She grew up in the Bay Area, and at the age of 20 moved to L.A. to further her dancing career. Her main area of expertise is contemporary, but she’s also had many years of formal training in jazz, tap, ballet, and modern. Like current contestants Tadd... -
Neil Haskell
Season 3
Hometown: Clarence Center, NY
Style: Contemporary
Neil Haskell began dancing at the American Academy of Ballet. During the summers, he continued his intensive ballet training at the Chautauqua Institute in Chautauqua, NY. A proud member of the Actor’s Equity Union, Neil has made several musical theater appearances: including Broadway productions of Twyla Tharp’s The Times They Are... -
Pasha Kovalev
Season 3
Hometown: Siberia, Russia
Style: Ballroom/Latin
Pasha Kovalev was hot to trot in Season 3 of SYTYCD. He began dancing at the age of 8, training in ballroom, and then adding ballet and jazz to his repertoire. He sites ballet legend, Mikhail Baryshnikov, as his favorite dancer. Pasha is an original cast member of both the Broadway and West End productions of Burn of the Floor. Additionally,... -
Anya Garnis
Season 3
Hometown: Latvia, Russia
Style: Ballroom
Anya Garnis is the original Hot Tamale, as she was the first contestant to have ever ridden Mary Murphy’s now infamous, “Hot Tamale Train.” It’s a fitting title for this Latin ballroom dancer, who is seriously too hot to handle. Her ballroom partner, Pasha Kovalev, also competed in Season 3, and they went on to compete nationally and... -
Robert Roldan
Season 7
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, CA
Style: Contemporary
Robert Jeremiah Roldan took his first hip hop class when he was just 11. After high school, Robert went on to dance with Rasta Thomas’ Bad Boys of Dance. In addition to dancing, he also enjoys singing, acting, and fashion. Currently, he resides in Hollywood, where he continues to pursue his dancing career. -
Brandon Bryant
Season 5
Hometown: Miami, FL
Style: Contemporary
Brandon Bryant was a force to be reckoned with on Season 5 of SYTYCD. He fought his way into the Top 20 and nailed routine after routine, before being crowned runner-up. Mia Michaels and Lil’ C apologized on live TV for not initially believing in his abilities. Brandon began dancing at the age of 10 and even performed at Madonna’s daughter’s...
