A Legacy of Champions
American Dance Awards was founded in 1979 by Rhee Gold.
In 1989, ADA hosted its first ever National Championship showcasing overall winners in two age divisions. In 1992, America’s Dancer of the Year was created, followed by America’s Choreographer of the Year in 1995.
In 1999, Gloria Jean Cuming became a director and revolutionized the dance competition industry, bringing her studio owner and dance teacher perspective to the table.
Now under the direction of her son, Bobby DiNicola, American Dance Awards continues to inspire, educate, and motivate dancers across the world!
After 41 seasons, we work diligently to uphold the same standard of excellence you’ve come to know and love at ADA, while evolving and innovating to give you the experience of a lifetime – every time!
You will recognize many names in the Hall of Fame, as past recipients have gone on to very successful careers in the arts – performing, choreographing, directing, and running competitive schools of their own. ADA is a launching pad for a bright future!
From Broadway to Film, concert to commercial work, we are proud that these dancers and choreographers are a part of the ADA legacy.
Congratulations, and thank you for sharing your talents with us over the years!
welcome to the American dance awards hall of fame
America’s dancer of the year
1992- Nancy Navickas – The Dance Slipper, MA
1993- Natalie King – King Center for the Performing Arts, NJ
1994- Heather Goelz – Creative Dance Arts, PA
1995- Kelly Burke – The Dance Stop, NJ
1996- Lori Barber – Larraine Susa Dance Unlimited, PA
1997- Heidi Sutherland – Betty Gunderson’s Studio of Dance, MA
1998- Ashley Yeater – Larraine Susa Dance Unlimited, PA
1999- Katie Spreadbury – Diane Kelley Dance Studios, MA
2000- Kimberly Rogers – Elite Dance Academy, PA
2001- Sophia Ferrarotto – Greta Leeming School of Dance, Canada
2002- Laura Cota – Performing Dance Arts, Canada
2003- Christina Jensen – Amber Perkins School of the Arts, NY
2004- Michelle Cleghorn – Vlad’s Dance Company, Canada
2005- Stacey Shivers – For Dancers Only, NJ
2006- Lisa Okragly – For Dancers Only, NJ
2007- Jean Linke – Greta Leeming School of Dance, Canada
2008- Amanda Cleghorn – Performing Dance Arts, Canada
2009- Amanda Castro – Danstarz Dance Team, CT
2010- Madison Embrey – The Dance Shoppe, MI
2011- Danielle Alvarez – Stars Dance Company, FL
2012- Logan Epstein – Westchester Dance Company, NY
2013- Sophia Ludwig – In Motion Dance Project, FL
2014- Christina Kotsopoulos – Vlad’s Dance Company, Canada
2015- Ally Moore – Vlad’s Dance Company, Canada
2016- Kristilee Maiella – Dance Academy of North Jersey
2017- Olivia Alboher – For Dancers Only, NJ
2018- Kelsey Flanders – In Motion Dance Project, FL
2019- Emma McMartin – Elite Dance Studio, Canada
America’s teen dancer of the Year
1992- Joanne Georgeiff – Performing Dance Arts, Canada
1993- Madeline Matos – Rolann’s School of the Dance, FL
1994- Samantha Zuidema – King Center for the Performing Arts, NJ
1995- Jennifer Jimenez – Greta Leeming School of Dance, Canada
1996- Michelle Micholas – Performing Arts Academy, NJ
1997- Katy Spreadbury – Diane Kelley Dance Studios, MA
1998- Nicole Potts – The Dance Academy, PA
1999- Lauren Strigari – Performing Arts Academy, NJ
2000- Megan Jakel – Terri Newman’s Dance Shoppe, MI
2001- Megan Lawson – Dance Spectrum, Alberta Canada
2002- Stacey Maroske – All That Dance, Canada
2003- Ashley Shaw – Terri Newman’s Dance Shoppe, MI
2004- Lisa Okragly – For Dancers Only, NJ
2005- Jeanine Mason – Focal Point, FL
2006- Tarin Pratt – Studio D, AZ
2007- Erin Ellis – Greta Leeming Studio of Dance, Canada
2008- Emily James – Atwood Performing Arts Center, RI
2009- Charly Santagado – In Motion Dance Project, FL
2010- Katie Ann Martinez – Patricia Penenori Dance Center, FL
2011- Francesca Crupi – For Dancers Only, NJ
2012- Angie Cosculluela – Dance Attack, FL
2013- Madison Tainsh – Vlad’s Dance Company, Canada
2014- Olivia Alboher – For Dancers Only, NJ
2015- Kelsey Flanders – In Motion Dance Project, FL
2016- Summer Sheldrick – Dance Academy of North Jersey, NJ
2017- Jocelyn Martinez – For Dancers Only, NJ
2018- Michaela Marfori – In Motion Dance Project, FL
2019- Alexandra Pignone – Loperfido Dance Academy, MA
America’s Junior dancer of the year
1992- Jennifer Zalewski – Gloria Jean’s Studio of Dance, CT
1993- Michelle Micholas – Performing Arts Academy, NJ
1994- Taivon McKinney – Watmora Carey
1995- Courtney Kozul – Kathy Kozul/Mary Murphy, MA
1996- Jamie Lee – Fran Peters, MD
1997- Elise Doran – P&P Dance Center
1998- Jennifer Russell – Robin Dawn, FL
1999- Katrina Dalton – Allegro Dance Arts
2000- Whitley Saffron – Larraine Susa, PA
2001- Ashley Shaw – Terri Newman, MI
2002- Angelica Stiskin – Performing Arts Academy, NJ
2003- Jessica Lynch – Tami’s Dance Connection, MA
2004- Rebecca Houseknecht – Hot Shots Nat’l Dance Team, MD
2005- Jordan Norton – For Dancers Only, NJ
2006- Pamela Gaccione – For Dancers Only, NJ
2007- Katherine Kasprzyk – Rhythum Plus Dance Studio, Canada
2008- Jaclyn Ruggiero – For Dancers Only, NJ
2009- Eriel Santagado – In Motion Dance Project, FL
2010- Emma Bohn – Leeming Danceworks, Canada
2011- Julia Grondin – Diane Kelley Dance Studio , MA
2012- Olivia Alboher – For Dancers Only, NJ
2013- Kelsey Flanders – In Motion Dance Project, FL
2014- Vivian Ruiz — Stars Dance Company, FL
2015- Michaela Marfori — In Motion Dance Project, FL
2016- Chloe’ Boivin – Greta Leeming Studio of Dance, Canada
2107- Angelina Velardi – Prestige Dance Academy – NJ
2018- Rory Stults – Cheshire Performing Arts Academy, CT
2019- Scarlett Sebastyn – The Dance Slipper, MA
America’s Young dancer of the year
2001- Talia Laurito – Atwood Performing Arts Center, RI
2002- Rachel Gerber – All That Dance, Canada
2003- Angelica Generosa – Dance Stop, NJ
2004- Brieana Pagliaro – Pacific Coast Academy of Dance, CA
2005- Eriel Santagado – In Motion Dance Project, FL
2006- Jaclyn Ruggiero – For Dancers Only, NJ
2007- Francesca Crupi – For Dancers Only, NJ
2008- Kaylee Cacciotti – Happiness is…Dancing, Canada
2009- Julia Miller – Rythum Plus Dance Company, Canada
2010- Olvia Alboher – For Dancers Only, NJ
2011- Mia Diaz – Stars Dance Company, FL
2012- Kayla Mak – Westchester Dance Academy, NY
2013 -Summer Wolfe – Williams Dance and Gymnastics, AR
2014- Ashley Vallejo – Stars Dance Company, FL
2015- Diana Sofia Pombo – Stars Dance Company, FL
2016- Beli Favis – In Motion Dance Project, FL
2017- Sarina Porreca – For Dancers Only, NJ
2018- Kylee Casares – Dance Unlimited, FL
2019- Scarlet Sperry – Prestige Academy of Dance, NJ
America’s male dancer of the year
1992- Lenny Juliano – The Dance Connection, CT
1993- Derrick Yanford – The Dance Slipper, MA
1994- Oscar Hawkins – Fran’s Studio of Dance, MD
1995- Ryan Foley – Performing Dance Arts, Canada
1996- Brenden King – King Center for the Performing Arts, NJ
1997- Jeremy Cox – Gloria Jean’s Studio of Dance, CT
1998- Clyde Alves – Performing Dance Arts, Canada
1999- Bill Larson – Knecht Dance Academy, PA
2000- Colin Bradbury – Melissa Hoffman Dance Center, MA
2001- Gabriel Wolinsky – Greta Leeming School of Dance, Canada
2002- Jason Sermonia – Performing Dance Arts, Canada
2003- Brett Perry – The Dance Company, IN
2004- Scott MacDonald – Vlad’s Dance Company, Canada
2005- Neil Haskell – David DeMarie Dance Studio, NY
2006- Travis St. Denny – Amber Perkins School for the Arts, NY
2007- Aaron Libfeld – Vlad’s Dance Company, Canada
2008- Ethan Lefleur – Performing Dance Arts, Canada
2009- Kenny Corrigan – The Dance Slipper, MA
2010- Tim Stickney – The Gold School, MA
2011- Jacob Guzman – The Gold School, MA
2012- Kevin Cosculluela – Dance Attack, FL
2013- Dakota Walker – Vlad’s Dance Company, Canada
2014- Derek Piquette – Stars Dance Company, FL
2015- Devon Larcher – Shannon O’Brien School of Dance, MA
2016- Miko Marfori – In Motion Dance Project, FL
2017- Joshua Bergner – The Calling Dance Academy, OK
2018- Gino Cosculluela – Dance Attack, FL
2019- Michael Missios – Canadian School of Dance, Canada
America’s teen male dancer of the year
1992- Derrick Dale – Steven Boyd
1993- Brendan King – The King Center, NJ
1994- Jeremy Cox – Gloria Jean’s Studio of Dance, CT
1995- Nicolas Dromard – Greta Leeming Studio of Dance, Canada
1996- Rasta Thomas – Fran Peters, MD
1997- Joseph Corella – Spisak Dance Academy, AZ
1998- Manuel Herrara – Fran Sullivan, NC
1999- Jason Sermonia – Performing Dance Arts, Canada
2000- Matthew Adamczyk – Betty Gunderson Studio, MA
2001- Peter Chursin – Shely Pack Manning, CA
2002- Brandon Martin – Independent
2003- Travis St. Denny – Amber Perkins School of the Arts, NY
2004- Rickey Kuperman – Vlad’s Dance Company, Canada
2005- Jeffrey Kuperman – Vlad’s Dance Company, Canada
2006- Donald Thom – Linda Jamieson School of Dance, Canada
2007- Jacob Artist – David DeMarie Dance Studio, NY
2008- Donald Thom – Linda Jamieson School of Dance, Canada
2009- Jacob Guzman – The Gold School, MA
2010- David Guzman – The Gold School, MA
2011- Keanu Uchida – Leeming Danceworks, Canada
2012- Lakota Knuckle – Lisa Naves Dance Company, Canada
2013- Mckinley Knuckle – Lisa Naves Dance Company, Canada
2014- Michael Novitski – Vlad’s Dance Company, Canada
2015- George Burden-Cheresna – Dana Hanes Dance Co., Canada
2016- Michael Missios – Canadian School of Dance, Canada
2017- Matthew Mancuso – Eastman Dance Company, CT
2018 – Wesley Cloud – Westchester Dance Academy, NY
2019 – Jared Alequin – Mossa Dance Academy, NY
America’s Junior male dancer of the year
1992- Jordan Cable – Scott’s Studio of Steps, Canada
1993- Tony Bougiourias – Charlotte Klein Dance Center, MA
1994- Rasta Thomas – Fran’s Studio of Dance, MD
1995- Dominique Kelley – Lisa Minelli, CT
1996- Jared Frank – D’Valda & Sirico, CT
1997- Eric Lilienthal – Tina LaFlam, MA
1998- Adam Barber – Bohaty School of Dance, MI
1999- Christopher King – King Center for the Performing Arts, NJ
2000- Teddy Forance – Hackworth School of Performing Arts, MA
2001- Kyle VanGerven – Betty Gunderson’ s Studio of Dance, MA
2002- Ryan Steele – Dance Dynamics, MI
2003- Kent Boyd – The Dance Centre, OH
2004- Gianni Howell – Dynasty Academy of Dance, FL
2005- Blake Krapels – For Dancers Only, NJ
2006- Connor Yockus – Dynasty Academy of Dance, FL
2007- Connor Bormann- Performing Arts Academy, NJ
2008- Connor Yockus – Dynasty Academy of Dance, FL
2009- Matthew Gilmore – The Gold School, MA
2010- Anthony Madison – Happiness is…Dancing, Canada
2011- Noah Parets – The Gold School, MA
2012- Shale Wagman – Vlad’s Dance Company, Canada
2013 -Sebastian Kaczor – MOBA Dance Academy, NY
2014- Michael Missios – Canadian School of Dance, Canada
2015 -Matthew Mancuso – Danstarz Dance Team, CT
2016 -Tristan Hill – In Motion Dance Project, FL
2017- Nigel Clifford – Canadian School of Dance, Canada
2018- Andy Gorzo – Lisa Naves Dance Company, Canada
2019- Francesco Adamo – Mossa Dance Academy, NY
America’s young male dancer of the year
2001- Darrain Kujawa – Larkin School of Dance, MN
2002- Jess LeProtto – For Dancers Only, NJ
2003- Matthew Williams – Westchester Dance Academy, NY
2004- Connor Yockus – Dynasty Academy of Dance, FL
2005- Keegan Ellis – Professional Dance Center, MO
2006- Brendan Lee – Greta Leeming Studio of Dance, Canada
2007- Ryan Gallivan – Diane Kelley Dance Studio, MA
2008- Ryan Tomash – Performing Dance Arts, Canada
2009- Charlie Burroughs – Kelly’s Dance Academy, VT
2010- Matthew Camerata – Creative Steps, NH
2011- Lucas Triana – Stars Dance Company, FL
2012- Matthew Mancuso – Danstarz Dance Team, CT
2013- Noah Latrielle – Leeming Danceworks, Canada
2014- Brady Farrar – Stars Dance Company, FL
2015 -Timothy Zvifel – Vlad’s Dance Company, Canada
2016 – Devont’e Campbell – Danstarz Dance Team, CT
2017 – Quinton White – Hamden Academy of Dance and Music, CT
2018 – Taye Photnetrakhom – In Motion Dance Project, FL
2019- Anthony Parrelli – Hackworth School of Performing Arts, MA