2025 Talent Search Dance Contest, Full California Round-Up!

The 2nd Stagecoach dance contest is taking place at Moonshine Flats in San Diego and is the most southern contest, allowing dancers to get involved with the contest from the San Diego area.

For Moonshine Flat’s Dance Contest, the top 4 dancers will win Stagecoach passes and a position on the Honky Tonk Dance Team

The 9th dance contest is at Stoney’s Rockin’ Rodeo up north in Sacramento and is the most northern opportunity to compete in the talent search dance contest.

For the Stoney’s Dance Contest, the top 4 dancers will win Stagecoach passes and a chance for a position on the Honky Tonk Dance Team!

Help! (I Had Some)

Boomerang

Til the Neons Gone

Drifter

Sweetheart Schottische

Progressive Two Step

CHRISTOPHER DEMACI

Christopher’s background includes over 20yrs as an instructor, choreographer & competitive dancer in Country 2step, Line dance, WC swing,Hip Hop, Hustle, Ballroom, Latin, & NC 2step, being one of the first WC swing instructors to popularize the dance in France & Italy, and along with his international students teaching in Japan, Australia, India, Argentina & throughout the US & has numerous wins at an advanced & champion level as a competitive dancer. He has also appeared on stage, film and television productions as a principal actor & dancer, as well as an MC & DJ for radio, clubs, festivals & special events. An additional fun fact about Christopher is that he speaks Italian, Spanish, Mandarin & ASL.

HEATHER LEON

Heather Leon has 5 decades of dance experience in various disciplines including jazz, ballet, modern, line dancing and a broad array of partner dances including Hustle, Country Two Step, West Coast Swing, Waltz and Nightclub Two Step. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern Dance choreography from UCLA and has performed on stage extensively in the Los Angeles area. She has placed 1st in many Hustle and Country Two Step competitions since 2014 and is currently teaching line dancing in San Diego county.

JOE THOMPSON

Joe has 31+ years dance experience in Country 2step, WC swing & Line Dancing. He has performed and competed on numerous Swing and Country Teams which includes 4 years of performances at Stagecoach. 18 yrs ago he started competing on the UCWDC circuit in West Coast Swing and Two Step and has over (25) 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place wins. Some of those wins include 1st place at Incahoots 2017 Two Step competition & (2) First place World Championships in 2007 & 2009. He still actively competes in the competition circuit & has been teaching partner and Line dances every Wednesday at Cowboy Country for 9 years as well as Private lessons Monday thru Friday at his home studio in Orange.

JONNO LIBERMAN

Jonno’s background includes 20+ years of competitive skating, coaching, and choreography, as well as 20+ years of partner dancing including Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, and Country Two-Step. He has appeared on stage, screen, and television, and has been teaching and choreographing line dances for just over a decade winning multiple awards including five UCWDC World Titles. Some of the dances Jonno is known for includes Exs & Ohs, Just Feel Like Dancing, Stomp Like What, Get Ugly, The Wolf, Bambalam, and She’s A Natural. Jonno teaches private lessons and helps create and run dance nights, weekly classes, monthly dance socials, workshops, and annual conventions, such as Wrangler Weekend Los Angeles.

KAT PAINTER

Kat started line dancing & performing at a young age and graduated with a BA degree with an emphasis on choreography. She has 22+ yrs experience as an instructor for Country line & partner dancing which includes Multiple festivals such as Cambria Western days Dance festival & Stagecoach, multiple special events such as the annual Las Vegas Dance Explosion, and is the resident instructor for Stoney’s Rockin Rodeo in Sacramento CA. She has competed in Country 2Step & WC Swing winning 1st place at UCWDC World Championships in both 2step & WC Swing Advanced Jack & Jill divisions, holds the 2021 ACDA Couples division 3 National Champion title, and recently won 2 2024 UCWDC world champion choreographer titles. She has been the resident instructor for 16 yrs with Stoneys Sacramento, and is the choreographer of multiple line dance bar favorites, such as: Boomerang, Smooth Funk, Someone Else & Ain’t no Superman.

LIEREN KING

Owner of The Looking Glass Studio of Performing Arts in Redlands CA. Dance Instructor for multiple styles of dance and a Choreographer for Theater & Musical productions for 11yrs. Dance Instructor for the former Brandin Iron Country Saloon for 9yrs. Judge for multiple dance contests for 5+yrs. Choreographer of multiple linedances known at So cal Country bars such as: Beautiful Drug, Friend Zone, Crash & Burn.

RAY STANTON

Ray has 50+ yrs of extensive training in several dance disciplines such as Ballroom, Latin, Contemporary, Jazz, Country Western & even competitive roller skating.

He has 40+ yrs experience in Country Dance winning UCWDC Division IV & III competitions as well as placing or winning in multiple Jack & Jill, Just Dance, Pro-am & ProPro competitions. 30+ yrs as an instructor in local venues such as Brandin Iron, Stampede, InCahoots, Cowboy Country, Montana’s & the Lit Lounge at Fantasy Springs Casino.

RICK DOMINGUEZ

Rick has been a Club & Mobile DJ over 4 decades, Country DJ, Linedance Instructor & choreographer for both Local & National Bars, Special events & Festivals for over 3 decades which includes 5 yrs of Stagecoach involvement, Founder of the award winning dance troop LA Wranglers now in its 22nd season & Creator of WWLA (Wrangler Weekend Los Angeles) 3 day Event, Choreographer of multiple linedance club favorites such as – You Look Good, Sweet Tea, Call me senorita, Blue Jeans On, Do si do, Everybody have a good time, Exs & Ohs (co-choreo with Jonno), Bambalam (co-choreo with Jonno), and Currently DJing at multiple Borderline Bar & Grill nights in Simi Valley, venues in N Hollywood, and substitute DJ for the Ranch in Anaheim and Buckle & Boots Lancaster.

BRIGETTE CAMPOS

Brigette Camille Campos is a full time Country Dance Pro from Chandler, Arizona. She has over 20 World Champion Titles in the UCWDC line dance, couples, teams and ProPro competitions. This retired Intensive Care RN has been teaching dance since 2014. Brigette is the owner of Red Boot Country which has a very successful Jr Dance Program teaching kids Country Couples, Line Dance and Teams. Her and her husband Robert coach 6 World Championship dance teams and travel the country teaching, judging and dancing at conventions and dance cruises. Brigette has a passion for making competitive dance affordable to the masses and encouraging people of all sizes, ages and levels to feel confident on the dance floor.

CANDY SHERWIN

Candy has been dancing since she was 9 yrs old making a living as a performer & teacher. Her background in Ballet, Jazz & Musical Theater provides a unique perspective to Country dancing which became an integral part of her life 34 yrs ago & She has been blessed to share her passion for dance at many venues min the greater LA area, private events &10+ line dance cruises. She’s the Lead Instructor at Borderline for 30 yrs and previously taught at InCahoots Glendale, & Denim & Diamonds Woodland Hills. She is also currently an adult Ballet instructor at PAC in Van Nuys. You can additionally find Line dance community support from Candy on her YouTube dance channel Candysherwin.com

CARRIE WOJCIECHOWSKI

Carrie started Line Dancing and Ballroom dancing 25 years ago during her senior year in high school. She continued to dance all throughout college and started teaching line Dancing and country couples dancing at Sway Ballroom in Laguna Hills 10 years ago. She teaches at all kinds of private events, including birthday parties, church festivals, weddings, and corporate parties. Her favorite was a private event at the House Of Blues. She teaches 8 to 10 group classes a week at the community centers in south Orange County as well as weekly private lessons. She has taught/DJ’d at Sammy’s Original in Lake Forest for the last six years.

CHERI RUSCH

Cheri started dancing at the age of 3 and now has 41+ yrs dance experience. She’s an Instructor at multiple clubs & bars, as well as a member of several dance teams including Wildfire & Saddle up. She won multiple awards in competitions for line dance, WC Swing, 2step, choreography, & team competitions, and has been a judge for our Stagecoach competitions for 3 years.

CHRIS BRADLEY

Chris started her love for Country line dance 12yrs ago at Bex which is now Buckle & Boots. Teaching & helping others learn is her passion, so she became an instructor for line dance 10 yrs ago starting out at the High Desert Dance Studio, then eventually for private & special events, the Elks in Lancaster & Palmdale, Coaches Sports bar in Rosamond, The Cowboy Palace in Chatsworth, a resident instructor here at Buckle & Boots, and annually at the Antelope Valley Fair. She’s also had the opportunity to be involved in the country entertainment industry through Country line dance music videos, Trace Adkins concert, and for a Netflix movie called ”Sitting in bars eating cake”. Chris is grateful to have the opportunity to share her knowledge & passion for line dance, it’s rewarding & brings great joy watching others experience the joy of dance.

CINDI MASSENGALE

Cindi’s training & love for music & dance started with High school dance & drill team, college cheerleading, and group fitness classes. Cindi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, is an ACE certified Fitness instructor, and certified personal fitness trainer. Cindi has been a fitness & line dance instructor for approximately 31 yrs, teaching at festivals such as the Queen Mary Shipkicker Country Music fest, Coastal Country Jam, Boots in the Park, Round Up at LA Live, Go Country Fest, Stagecoach, The Edge,WWLA as well as multiple corporate events, special events, private & group lessons. She’s a 13 yr resident instructor at Cowboy Country, and additionally offers lessons at The Gaslamp in Long Beach, local Community ctr classes, is a Dance instructor & DJ at Sea Salt in Huntington Beach, and has been a judge for our Stagecoach competitions for 6 yrs.

GLORIA YEAGER

Gloria began her dance career at 9yrs old in Ballet, Jazz Tap & singing. She had her own show and toured through USO community events during gradeschool and toured nationally & internationally as a teenager with names such as Andy Williams, Steely dan, David Cassidy, Three Dog Night, and performed in notable venues in Reno & Las Vegas. She studied under actor,dancer,choreographer Roland Dupree & owned a dance studio for 5 yrs in Woodland Hills with 6 instructors, teaching aerobics,funky jazz, line dancing, having notable instructors such as Patrick Swayzes mom as a ballet teacher & Paula Abdul as an aerobics instructor. She honed her country dance skills including WC Swing at Denim & Diamonds & Borderline when it was first built. She continues to teach at recreational venues, China Lake Navy base, Patriots & Partners in Ridgecrest, and hosts events for Country dance in the Tehachapi area with her most recent addition called P Dubs a 2500 sq ft venue. She has 65+ yrs in professional dance training & experience and hopes that she will stay strong as her passion for Dance & sharing it with others brings tremendous joy & life.

HANNAH BERGMAN 

Hannah has over 16 years of dance and competition experience in jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and ballet, with numerous local and regional performances and awards; with notable appearances at the Del Mar Fair, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Disneyland. She has been a professional line dancer for 10 years and over a decade of line dancing experience all around the U.S.

HEATHER OLDFIELD

Heather has been the Entertainment Manager at THE RANCH Saloon for 9 years and she judged the National Day of the Cowboy Dance Contest 4 times and this will be her 8th time judging the Stagecoach Dance Contest at THE RANCH Saloon. She judged every category of dance for 1 season at The Showstopper National Dance Convention and Competition in Anaheim, North Carolina and Florida. Heather is a 3rd generation dancer and started taking dance lessons at age 3 at her mother’s dance studio in Philadelphia. She studied dance for 25 years including jazz, tap, modern, and ballet. She received a Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship for The University of Maryland in College Park and earned her BA in Dance Performance, Teaching and Choreography. For 20 years, she performed in dance production shows in USA and all over the world. She has been a production show Dance Captain and conducted guest teaching and master classes for various dance studios on the East Coast.

JONATHAN TAYLOR
Jonathan started dancing 20 yrs ago in Ballroom, Latin, Country, Line Dance, Burlesque, & WC Swing. He is in the open Pre-champion division for Ballroom & Latin, 8 yrs in the WC Swing all star champion division, holds 2 UCWDC line dance world titles & multiple All star Adv division 1st place wins in Country Two step with UCWDC worlds, Fresno, Paradise & Magic Mountain events. He is a choreographer & performer for a Burlesque company & currently provides private lessons at a local Ballroom in Sacramento.

KENDALL VERDUSCO
Incahoots Assistant & Instructor for 21+ yrs having been involved in the originating location of Riverside  & then the transition to Fullerton in which he has been the Sole Instructor the past 4 yrs, additionally 21+ yrs experience teaching, assisting & subbing in other multiple SoCal clubs such as – Tijuanas, Brandin iron, Carnival, Stampede, Canyon Club Montclair & Big Shots in Lake Forest.

KERRY KICK

Kerry Kick has been the dancing ace of Line Dance Thursdays since it started here at THE RANCH – over 11 years! She has had a love of dance her whole life. Kerry grew up in OC, performed in local OC musical theater, and after receiving her BFA in Dance Choreography from UCI, ran a dance studio in Atlanta, GA. She has been an instructor for Stagecoach and numerous other special events, and a judge for other competitions for over ten years.  This will be her 8th year judging the Stagecoach Dance Contest at THE RANCH Saloon. Kerry loves finding and teaching new dances to contemporary, country, and popular music and always looks forward to sharing her passion for dancing.

KRISTAL LYNN KONZEN
SoCal Native teaching & choreographing for 20+ yrs. An Instructor for the BL Saloon & Borderline Bar for 12yrs as well as Canyon club Agoura hills for 6yrs where She helped build the Borderline dance Team & became one of the resident DJs as well. She was an Instructor 4 yrs for Stagecoach  & Stagecoach’s First Live media dance broadcast during Covid. She currently teaches at local studios in Simi Valley area & special events and is known for multiple linedances she has choreographed for the bars done locally & nationwide such as: High Class, I got this, Timber, and many others

KRISTINA PEREZ-BANDA 

Kristina grew up in the dance world. Her brother was a dancer and so it was no surprise that she also grew up to be a dancer. Kristina has started off with ballet & jazz and from there went into baton, and then was a cheerleader. She not only cheered in school but also was an All-Star cheerleader who competed at both regional and at the Cheerleading Worlds held at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. Since Kristina grew up around the country dance world, she also learned those dances as well and competed in the UCWDC in Open Div 2, and later in Classic ProPro 2 where she won a World Championship Title. Kristina had a love for line dance and decided to put in jazz and ballet skills to some more use where she competes in the Classic Open Advance Division. Kristina has been teaching line dance at Gilley’s for 15 years and the last 3 years she has been the resident dance instructor for Treasure Island Hotel & Casino at Treasure Island. She has also appeared in music videos and worked with a number of private groups. She loves dancing and learning the newest hottest dances on the scene. Kristina has been lucky enough to teach others and loves to see success and grow!

LYNDEE CAMPBELL
Lyndee has been a professional dance instructor for 32+ yrs, having owned a dance studio, traveled, coached and competed throughout the US with her forte in clogging & WC swing. Lyndee has taught at multiple local SoCal Country nightclubs & a has been a regular at Montana’s since their opening 25 yrs ago. Although she loves teaching country dance part-time, her biggest passion is travel, as she has also been a professional traveling agent for over 25 yrs and plans to keep traveling & teaching country dance for as long as she can

MEGAN BARSUGLIA
Megan has been line dancing for 22+ years. She began dancing at Stoneys Rockin Rodeo Sacramento in 2016 as well as attended her first circuit event that same year. She has been instructing for 8 years professionally, and competed in solo competitions, pattern partners, and teams in both UCWDC and World Dance Masters. She holds two World championship titles for Choreography and three Crystal Boot Awards for her involvement with Move Radio and Line Dancer Radio. She has been touring the country as a DJ and instructor since 2018, as well as a judge for Choreography and Line Dance competitions since 2021. She hosts several nights and classes throughout the northern Bay Area, and currently competes alongside  the Dancing Dragon team in World Dance Masters.

ROBERT CAMPOS 

Robert Campos a UCWDC World Champion Professional Dancer and Coach originally from Houston, Texas. This former Baseball player has been teaching dance full time for over 30 years in Texas, California and his current home Arizona. Robert teaches West Coast Swing and Country group classes weekly as well as competes with students all over the country in Pro Am competitions. He and his wife Brigette coach 6 World Champion Dance Teams and Choreograph award winning Showcase Numbers! They enjoy traveling the country teaching workshops, judging and dancing at conventions and dance cruises. Robert is the owner of West Coast Swing Tribe and has made it his life’s work to share his love and knowledge of dance.

SANDY MILLER

Sandy has been in the Country Music Industry dancing & teaching for 18+ years in the Coachella Valley, as well as having the opportunity to work with The Big 106 radio station and 98.5 The Bull. For 10+ years, she co-owned a DJ/Entertainment company that focused on country music and dancing for private events, and has also been involved in the Stagecoach Honky Tonk Dance Competitions as either host and/or judge for 4 years. She’s passionate about country dancing, sharing knowledge, skill development and helping others have fun on the dance floor through her unique style of instruction and humor. 

SHERMAN SHOATE
Sherman has been a professional dancer, choreographer & instructor for 27+ yrs in Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary dance and 9yrs with Country dance. He toured nationally & internationally, participated in dance videos, Halftime performances, Movies, Commercials and multiple other events in the entertainment industry with artists such as Mark Nelson, Destiny’s Child, Mary J Blidge, LFO, Britney Spears, Missy Elliott, Rihanna, Joe Boxer. Sherman has taught dance workshops & performed for festivals & special events nationally & internationally, and organized flash mobs for Baseball Opening Day. Sherman has been the Artistic Director & currently teaches at Culture Shock Dance Ctr, Mesa College, Grossmont College, as well as hosts & instructs at Moonshine Flats & Beach. Sherman also serves as the Entertainment Director for Good Times Design in which he’s responsible for coordinating talent such as bands, dance teams, and DJs for the multiple venues he holds the position of as a General Manager such as Moonshine Flats & Beach, The Presley, Cerveza Jacks, and Happy Does. 

TIM PEREZ 

Tim started dancing at the age of 13 in Arizona with a youth dance team called ‘Young Country.’ It was there where Tim met his first dance partner. They went on to compete in the UCWDC (United Country Western Dance Council), attending regional events as well as the World Championship of Country Dance. They took third place at their first event! Tim has trained in multiple forms of dance (Ballroom, Ballet, Jazz, and Country.) Tim competed in the highest level in the UCWDC, Classic Masters Division. Tim has gone on to win multiple awards and World Championship titles in both couples and line dancing. Tim is also a 2x Feather Award winner and has won a silver medal in Line Dance at the World Country Line Dance Sport Federation. Tim enjoys spending time Judging and coaching at dance conventions all around. Tim was the Co-Event Director of Arizona Dance Classic in the Phoenix area and South Bay Dance Fling located in San Jose, CA. Tim sat on the executive board for the UCWDC as the Treasurer for 8 years, as well as both the Controller and Staff Coordinator for UCWDC’s World Championship of Country Dance. Tim was the Dance Teacher at Gilley’s inside Treasure Island Las Vegas for 12 years where he taught Line Dance lessons for guest and private events. Tim also has worked with different celebrities as a dancer and choreographer. Tim has had a passion for dance for over 30 years and continues to teach, coach and inspires joy to others!

TONY DALY
Tony’s intrigue, fascination & love for Country dance started with an invitation from a friend 30+ yrs ago with his first visit to the Stampede (called Midnight Roundup at the time). It’s also where he met his beautiful wife of 28yrs Donna Sue. Much of Tony’s teaching technique came from studying for 26+ yrs with notable instructors in our Country dance industry such as Marlene Taylor, Nita Bowers, Ray Stanton, and Terena Chiado. Tony has been teaching Line & Choreographed Partner dances monthly at the Stampede for 10+ yrs as well as hosting weekly classes at several Temecula locations. Tony’s current methods of instruction were developed & honed over the years by just thinking “How can I make this make sense to someone seeing it for the first time? After all, I’m just a regular Joe who finally got it”