Dancing with the WMU/Kazoo Stars
Dancing with the WMU/Kazoo Stars Scholarship Fundraiser pairs local “Stars” with one or more WMU dance students to perform for a panel of celebrity judges and a very supportive audience for a very good cause - WMU Dance students.
While the event has featured only ballroom-style dances in the past, things are being shaken up this year and will feature new dance genres (think dance battle, or Star with backup dancers, musical theatre, etc). This will allow more social distancing between dancers and explore the FUN in more dance styles!
This year's celebrity contestants are:
Grace K. Gheen, Director of Communications, OutFront Kalamazoo
Ed Martini, Associate Provost and Dean, Merze Tate College WMU
Dr. Rita Raichoudhuri, Superintendent, Kalamazoo Public Schools
Petey Stephanak, Partner, Southwest Michigan First
Jessica Thompson, Founder/Owner, Bee Joyful Zero Waste & Refill Shop
Celebrity Judges:
Lori Moore, local media personality and Kalamazoo STAR
Kia Smith, Artistic Director of South Chicago Dance Theatre, and alumna of WMU Dance
David Curwen, Professor Emeritus, WMU Department of Dance
WMU Student Partners:
Maia Dumas and Sara Kausch with Grace Gheen
Noelle Dewees and Sarah Neubar with Ed Martini
Anna Cafagna and Emma Kuechler with Rita Raichoudhuri
Mikayla Bunn and Avree Gundersen with Petey Stephanak
Paige Mulick and Sawyer McNamara with Jessica Thompson