Gary has been involved in show business, entertainment and dance since the age of five. He received his Associate of Arts Degree from Prince George's College and his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Maryland. He has owned and directed one of the largest gymnastics and dance complexes on the East Coast and was the director and choreographer for Superstars Show Troupe, one of the country's hottest performing groups.
Gary and his students have appeared on the hit TV shows, Star Search, The Today Show, P.M. Magazine, and Good Morning America, have performed at the Apollo Theater, Disney World, The White House for three U.S. Presidents, the National Theater, NFL and NBA half-time shows, and were invited to perform at the World Expo in Brisbane, Australia.
Gary has appeared on the cover of Dance Teacher Now, Dancer Magazine, and Performer's Edge Magazine, and is one of the hottest practicing jazz and acrobatics teachers. He has taught for every major dance organization in the United States, including Dance Educators of America, Dance Masters of America, Dance Olympus, Dance Caravan, Canadian Dance Teachers, NADA and Professional Dance Teachers of America. Gary has taught Master Classes from coast to coast and from Canada to Puerto Rico, also bringing dynamic styles of teaching to private studios across the country. He has worked with great stars such as Sinbad, Celine Dion, Ricky Martin, Donald Trump, Michael Bolton, Gregory Peck, Lorrie Morgan, Don Rickles, Shari Lewis and "Downtown" Julie Brown, to name a few.One of the most highly sought after performing arts judges in the country, Gary has also served on the Board of Directors for Dance Educators of America, where he held the position of Competition Chairman. In this position, he built Dance Educators of America's National Dance Competition into one of the biggest in the U.S. In 1992 Gary received the 3rd Annual Robert Christopher Award and in 1991, Mexico honored his achievements in the Art of Dance.
Since 1994, Gary has served on the executive committee for the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, helping to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover the costs of heart transplants for needy recipients.
Gary began working in the talent competition business over 20 years ago, when he and his parents opened their very first "Starmaker Competition" in Washington, D.C., and has since gone on to lead the nation in establishing comprehensive and fair rules in the talent competition industry.
Gary, in his quest for discovering new talent, established Starpower National Talent Competition 1988 and has set a rapid pace in building this organization into one of the largest and most prestigious talent competitions in America. It is his goal to make Starpower an exciting, professional and fun-filled event, creating memories for a lifetime.
Grace Wakefield, National Director
Founder and Director for 35 years of Wakefield School of Dance, Grace has had an extensive professional and teaching career. Her dance background has enabled her to be adept at both teaching and choreography in the various departments of the performing arts.
She has toured with the U.S.O. entertaining our troops with many stars. Grace has taught and lectured dance in various schools and has given dance therapy in various hospitals to the handicapped and mental patients.
Grace Wakefield has choreographed many musicals including: Pajama Game, Damn Yankees, South Pacific, Wizard of Oz, Bye Bye Birdie, Oklahoma, Guys and Dolls, Fiorello, Wish You Were Here, My Fair Lady and many others. Her students have gone on to fame in various shows, appeared in television, in commercials, and many more have become dance teachers.
In Dance Educators of America she held the office of membership chairman for 19 years, was Regional Director, served on the Board of Directors, and as President and Executive Director. In 1974 and 1987 she received an award from the Dance Educators of America in honor of her dedication and outstanding work.
Grace has judged for various organizations, as well as utilizing her expertise in business forums and children's workshops coast to coast.
In 1990 she received the first Robert Christopher Award. In 1980 and 1991 Mexico honored her achievements in the Art of Dance.
Presently co-director of Starpower, her expertise has been instrumental in making Starpower one of the finest competition networks in the country.
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STARPOWER, 20 years of fantastic dance competitions. We could not have made it this far without the support of all the studio directors, teachers, performers, parents and friends over the past two decades. Starpower started as an eleven city tour with one National Championship has turned into the largest talent competition in America, hosting tens of thousands of performers from coast to coast, Canada to Puerto Rico. We want to express our deepest thanks to all of you. Without you we could not have made it to number one in the industry.
This year we have 4 fantastic Championships to be held in Las Vegas, NV; Orlando, FL; Ocean City, MD and Myrtle Beach, SC. The Starpower Title Pageant, which is sponsored by Leo’s Dancewear, will now be known as the Starpower World Title Championship. The winners will be recognized as the World Title Champions. The 2007 pageant will take place in Las Vegas, NV. This years Championship in Myrtle Beach, SC will now take place at the Fabulous Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Each city has its own unique personality, making each one a very special place for your family dream vacation.....so make your plans now to attend the "STARPOWER GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP" of your choice and build great memories for a lifetime.
In 2007, we will, once again, be hosting our Regional & National Starpower Title Competition and Starpower will be searching for our Power Pak performers. These Power Pak performers will be selected from each regional to represent their studio on tour next summer. Our many thanks go out to Leo's Dancewear for sponsoring the Title competition and the Power Pak.
Master Classes will again take place with some of the most talented performers and teachers in the entertainment business today will be given at all of our Championship locations. And....the best part of all....these classes are FREE to all contestants and teachers.
The Dance Power Express National Dance Conventions were a huge success throughout the country with plans to expand worldwide in 2006. We hope each and every one of you will make plans to attend the Hottest Dance Convention in America today in the Fall of 2006. A Dance Convention without the hassle of a competition on the same weekend.
Starpower is constantly setting the pace for all others to follow, leading the pack with the most fun and the most professionally run competition in America today.
So get psyched to celebrate the best Power Tour ever. Good luck to all of our contestants and remember...
STARPOWER IS #1 ..I CAN'T WAIT TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR!!! P.S. KELLY ROCKS! EVERYONE AT STARPOWER IS SO NICE AND THE BEST PEOPLE EVER! THEY ALWAYS SAY YOU ARE ALWAYS A STAR HERE! LOVE, ALYSSA
hi again! I am supposed to be in Florida right now dancing with the Power Pak. I got it for my solo and trio. I am so sad I couldn't go.. we spent too much money in New York. I have never got to go to Power Pak yet :( Maybe next year. I am totally bummed.. and I was supposed to compete at Nationals and I couldn't go. I love you guys! See you at competition next year!
hi! can't wait for STARPOWER in Pittsburgh! My daughter, Alyssa, is going for title. We need to know how much that is! Can you please let us know? Thank you!
I am coming to Starpower in Pittsburgh March 28! My solo is awesome so watch out everyone! It's the one that's going to be on America's Got Talent! yay me!
Ok so the new season really needs to kick in fast!! i miss all my friends!!! and i want to know who i have to speak to, to get on the top friends i don't appreciate not being there lol.. I am important too!! I am def way more important then that jessica girl up there... HAHAHAH i love youuuu!!! oh by the way
Starpower is our favorite dance competition! Oh, and you'll be happy to know that one of your competitors this year is also going to be a contestant on America's Got Talent next season! "ALYSSA BRADY" ..she's only 7 years old.. watch out Starpower and AGT coz here she comes! And she's definitely going to bring it!!!!
