Even Before They Were Superstars, They Were Showstoppers!

Cathy-Lee Hambright grew up competing at Showstopper competitions. As owner of Dancers EDGE in Winston-Salem, NC, Cathy-Lee Hambright uses her more than eighteen years of dance experience to teach her students a true love of all things dance. She is in her fifth season as a professional dancer for the NFL Carolina Panthers, where she was chosen as winner of the 2003 Captains Choice Award, and has been a team Captain for three years (the 2004, 2005, and 2006 seasons). Cathy-Lee has choreographed for top events and groups throughout the Southeast, including Charlotte Shout and the Carolina Panthers. She has also worked as a guest artist with Arts Alive. Her choreography has won state, regional, and national recognition and awards. In addition to her dance background, Cathy-Lee also has twelve years of modeling and pageant experience. Cathy-Lee believes in the true spirit of giving back to the community, and is involved in several charitable causes and organizations. She recently participated in A Night of Dancing with the Stars, to benefit The American Cancer Society.

 

Chad Moore, a Showstopper regional and national champion in 2004 and 2005, was crowned the ULTIMATE Justin Timberlake on MTV's My Own. He co-stars in the new season of Nickelodeon's Unfabulous and the Disney Channel's New Years Rockin' Eve Party. Chad has been seen on Nip/Tuck, Entourage, Untold Stories of the ER, and commercials for Myspace.com, Match.com, and Nestle. He has been in Dance Spirit Magazine, Teen Vogue, and Pagentry. Chad was also the lead in the national tour of the hit new musical, Ain't We Got Fun! Look out for this talented star!

 

Veronica Tkach - This former Showstopper dancer performed with The Canadian Dance Company. Veronica is attending college majoring in radio and television arts. She is also a dance teacher at Birdcage Productions in Toronto. Another one of her accomplishments was winning Miss Canada Royalty 2004. Veronica is another talented person that has graced the stage of Showstopper.

Sarah Smith Sarah Smith is an up and coming singing superstar that is no stranger to the lights and sounds of Showstopper. After several years of Showstopper performances with Deborah's Stage Door of Rochester Hills, Michigan, Smith went on to appear in several Hollywood films and most recently is part of the rising girl band, Nobody's Angel.



Andy Pellick
was a Showstopper Top Overall Soloist with Marie Lynn's Superstar Dance Center.  He has appeared as a principal soloist in EFX with nine time Tony Award winner Tommy Tune; in South Africa in "IMAGINE"; in NYC in "De La Guarda"; model and print work for Redken, MAGIC, Checker and Blockbuster.  Andy made his Broadway debut as a principal soloist in the new Broadway musical "DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES" with Michael Crawford, and was the lead dancer. He was in the ensemble of the new hit Broadway Musical Wicked. Andy has performed in the Broadway Revival/Musical "La Cage Aux Folles". For more information about the show, go to www.lacage.com. Andy plays one of the gorillas and the butterfly on "Tarzan", Disney's new production. http://www.tarzanmusical.com


Ellie Bouza has toured Europe in award winning productions of Cats, Beauty and the Beast, Rent, and Les Miserables. She also has danced with Destiny's Child and is performing with the Winifred Harris Dance company in Los Angeles, California. Look out for this talented star.

Kurt Csolak, a top overall soloist with Showstopper at the young age of fifteen, was a stand out combining his amazing acting abilities with dance to give us unforgettable performances in both group and solo events. He danced with the Star Maker School’s Entertainers Dance Company of Flemington, New Jersey for fifteen years. Kurt, a student at NYU, is now a featured performer with Andrew Nemr’s Cat’s Paying Dues Tap Ensemble in NYC. The tap company, inspired by Gregory Hines and others performs classic tap, keeping the great tap styles of yester-year alive. Kurt is also the voice of famed cartoon character, Speed Racer of ‘Speed Racer, The Next Generation’ on Nicktoons for Nickelodeon. He has been seen on 'As The World Turns' and 'One Life To Live' as well as in many Films and Industrials. He appeared as a principle in ‘Hip Hop Homeroom’ with Stephanie of Nickelodeon’s Lazy Town, an educational children’s video teaching math to children through the use of Hip Hop dance released June of 2006 by Sony worldwide. He boasts performing in numerous commercials including Nerf, Nickelodeon, The N Network, Nintendo, Wii, Harry Potter and in PSAs for the Montana Meth Project to name just a few.


Kevin Csolak, 14, completed filming the SAG short, ‘We Could Be Ninjas’ playing the lead role of Eric this Fall, 2009. He starred as Dusty in the LAB Production of a new Broadway show, ‘The Burnt Part Boys’ at the Vineyard Theatre, NYC last spring. No stranger to the stage at Madison Square Garden, Kevin performed as a Knick’s City Kid in 2008 and created the starring role of Jamie in Cirque du Soleil’s WINTUK at Madison Square Garden’s WaMu Theatre in ‘07. A proud member of Actor’s Equity, SAG and AFTRA, Kevin performed in the original Broadway cast of Dr. Suess's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", the Musical at the Hilton Theatre on Broadway in 2006. Csolak has had recurring roles on "As The World Turns" as Daniel Hughes and appeared in "The Guiding Light" and "All My Children". Kevin has also had principle roles in National Commercials including “The Bee Movie” Promo for Nickelodeon, “Tyson Chicken,” “Six Flags,” “Sports Authority,” “Kidz Bop,” the “NBA,” “Haier Corporation,” Huntington Learning Center,” "Price Choppers", "Happy Feet" for Warner Bros., "Burlington Coat Factory", the “NFL,” “Bank of America,” and the "Ford Motor Company." He appeared as a principle in "Hip Hop Homeroom" with Stephanie of Nickelodeon's "Lazy Town", an educational children's video teaching math to children through the use of Hip Hop dance released June of 2006 by Sony worldwide. Kevin danced with New Jersey's Star Maker School of the Performing Arts, "Entertainers Dance Company" for ten years as a soloist and team member. Be prepared to see more great things from this rising star!


Tara Lee began dancing and competing at a young age with Ardell Stone School of Dancing in Roanoke, VA. She was also a competitor at Showstopper for many years. Tara got a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance then moved to NYC to pursue a career in performance. She has Dance with MysticSteps, Inc. and taught hip hop with EastSideDance Project. She has such a strong love for both dancing and singing that she decided to combine the two as an R&B/Pop artist. She is recording with her producer Tristate and plans to perform her self-written tracks in NYC late this year. Keep a watch out for Tara!
Danielle Clement attended Showstopper for Years as a kid! She has danced for the NBA's Golden State Warrior Girls, Culture Shock, LL Cool J, Amerie, Dance 360, and had spots as a featured dancer in The Matrix and Illusion. Danielle is originally from Oakland, CA, and competed in the Showstopper's San Mateo regional competition and the West Coast Finals in Anaheim annually. She has been living in Los Angeles and works with Disney and other companys. Look out for this talented star!

Andrew George, Jr. 12, is making his mark in TV, Film and Commercial work after training and performing for eight years with New Jersey’s Entertainers Dance Company of the Star Maker School. His film debut was in “The Cake Eaters” as young Beagle and most recently voice over work for the American Girl Movie, “Kit.” His television credits include the TV show, “Rescue Me” on FX and “Kidz Bop” QVC Live. Andrew has landed principle roles in National Commercials including “Sci-Fi” Network Promo, “Regent’s Bank,” “Office Depot,” “AT&T Cingular,” “Mattel,” “Chuck E Cheese,” “Optimum On-Line,” and Reynold’s Freezer Bags.” He appeared as a principle in "Hip Hop Homeroom" with Stephanie of Nickelodeon's "Lazy Town", an educational children's video teaching math to children through the use of Hip Hop dance released June of 2006 by Sony worldwide. Be prepared to see more great things from this rising star!

 


Deidre Lang was a fly girl on "In Living Color" and performed in the Broadway Hair Spray, Dreamgirls, and Ragtime



Jordan Samuels competed with Divine Street Jazz in Atlanta, 2006- platinum trio tap. Currently lives in NYC, Pursuing dream. Starred as Boo Who in Broadway production of 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' 2007-2008



Chryssie Whitehead-
Since winning many National Showstopper Awards dancing with Southern Strut from Columbia, SC, Chryssie has gone on to complete the AMDA. She was chosen as Julia Stile's dance double in the hit movie, "Save the Last Dance" and danced in "Fosse". Since then, Chryssie has had a recurring role on Boston Public dancing and acting with Tamyra Grey. She also did the workshop of "ALL SHOOK UP", the new elvis musical going to Broadway, and was on tour with "THE PRODUCERS". She also played the role of Kristine in the current revival of A Chorus Line.



Kaitlyn Fitzgerald has competed in Showstoppers for many years with Joanne Chapman School of Dance, in Brampton, Ontario Canada. She was the youngest contestant (18) and top 10 dancer on "So You Think You Can Dance Canada", and has just completed the 15 city across Canada tour, performing to sell out crowds. She is busy these days travelling across Canada to teach and adjucticate at various conventions, with many other projects in the works. Look out for this talented star!



Sarah Miller has been a dance contestant at Showstopper Dance Competitions since the age of 4. She has won numerous top awards to include dancing in the opening number of the televised Showstopper National Dance Championships. She has also been named NC State Senior Dance Champion. Some of Sarah's accomplishements are to include: dance scholarships at UNCC where she was a student at the UNC Department of Dance & Theatre, Joffrey Ballet and the Nashville Ballet. Sarah is now employed by Disney Cruise Lines as a dancer/performer. Her dance roles include: lead dancer in Disney Dreams, Golden Mickeys, partnering in both. Sarah also performs as a Character performer and Web. She is truly living her dream as a dancer/performer.



Can You Help Us?
We are currently gathering information on previous Showstopper participants, to showcase here in our "Look Where They Are Now" section.
If you have any information on anyone who has participated in Showstopper events and has pursued a career in any kind of performance-related career, please email us with a photo at information@showstopperonline.com so that we can honor them here!

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