ATTA Connection

Our 3rd and final judge for the 2nd Chance to Dance competition coming TOMORROW is Richard Smith🕺

Richard Smith is the proud owner and executive director of 360° Dance Festival. Richard’s approach to teaching and directing dance is focused on alignment, strength, coordination, manipulation of the body, and the origination of movement. He believes that the only way to grow as a dancer is to understand the fundamentals of movement and to constantly work on mastering technique. Only by working on fundamentals and technique, can the dancer begin to tap into the personal connection of the movement and the music. Only after making that connection, can the dancer generate a performance from a vulnerable place of truth, making the dancer’s connection to the audience real and pure. It is this philosophy of finding truth through personal connection that keeps Richard passionate about teaching and helping dancers, dance teachers and choreographers reach their highest artistic potential. Richard has expertise in classical, lyrical and contemporary jazz, classical ballet and modern dance to dancers of all ages. He shares a special connection with pre-teen/youth dancers. He believes he learns the most about his teaching methods in the pre-teen/youth age group because they are very receptive to learning new concepts and they enjoy being exposed to new ideas.

Richard attended East Carolina University in North Carolina, where he earned a BFA in Dance Performance, with a concentration in Jazz Dance and Dance Education in 2000. After college, he moved to Chicago to train with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. Richard’s former students can be found in dance programs around the country. Smith is the technique expert for More Than Just Great Dancing Affiliate Studios and serves on the advisory board for Youth Advocates Protection in Dance (YPAD). Richard is excited to be leader in the movement to promote the health and wellness of the whole dancer.

We are glad to have him back for our 2026 2nd Chance to Dance competition and can't wait to hear the valuable feedback he has for our dancers 💪

Introducing our next judge for the 2nd Chance to Dance competition coming THIS SATURDAY!!! Meet Edson Barbosa 🕺

Edson Barbosa, raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, began his training in ballet, jazz, and tap at age 10 with Patricia Marques at Grupo Cultural de Dança, Ilha. He was named Best Male Dancer at the 2012 Festival de Dança de Joinville. A decorated competitor, Barbosa was a two-time Top 12 finalist at Youth America Grand Prix, a Top 6 finalist at the Beijing International Ballet Invitational. In 2012, he won a top prize at the Prix de Lausanne, where he was named Best Male Dancer of the competition’s 40th edition.

Barbosa joined The Joffrey Ballet in 2014 and has since performed an expansive range of soloist and principal roles across classical and contemporary repertory. Beyond his work as a performer, Barbosa has established himself as a choreographer and educator. His choreography has been featured in the Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet's Winning Works (On the Same Boat), Embarc (Heart Asks for Pleasure, Moody Rhapsody), and International Ballet Greenville (Moody Rhapsody) and the Grand Rapids Summer Festival (Indifferent). He has performed as a guest artist with Grand Rapids Ballet, Michigan Ballet Theater, and Monarch Dance Academy, Westside Ballet and Danzamérica Opening Ceremony in Argentina. He served as a Guest Judge at the Prix de Lausanne in 2024. His choreographic voice continues to develop alongside a celebrated performance career spanning over a decade with The Joffrey Ballet.

We are glad to have him join in for our 2026 2nd Chance to Dance competition and can't wait to hear the valuable feedback he has for our dancers 💪