Meet the Judges
Travis Jones
Travis Jones is an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. He serves at Eta Omega Chapter in Atlanta, GA and is the Co-Chairman of the Undergraduate Relations Committee of Emory University's Pi Delta Delta Chapter. Travis stepping experience dates back to High School in 2002 and his latest competition was at the Atlanta Civic Center in 2012. He is very involved at his chapter and around the city with teaching new and older members of the Fraternity how to step. Travis is a graduate of Morehouse College and has been working for Turner Broadcasting Systems Inc for 5 years.
Tracie Rollings
Tracie Rolling is a native of Atlanta Georgia. She grew up in Decatur, Georgia and attended Lakeside High School. A natural athlete, she ran track for 8 years and was a member of her high school's Varsity Cheerleading squad. She later went on to attend The University of West Georgia and Clayton State University, were she earned her Bachelor's in Political Science. After earning her undergraduate degree she was accepted into Boston University's graduate program. As a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Tracie has steadily volunteered in her community. Socially, she loves to dance and was a member of the Southside Steppers before relocating to San Antonio, TX. Tracie currently works in the airline industry and enjoys meeting people, traveling and spending quality time with her family.
Deneka Manning
Deneka Manning is a native of Atlanta, Ga. She attended Walter F. George High where she was on the drill team and varsity cheerleader squad. She pursued higher education and achieved a Bachelor Degree in Economics from University of West Georgia. Deneka pledged to become a proud sister of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in spring '87. As an undergraduate member, she served as step choreographer and coordinator. Deneka is a loving mother of 2 beautiful girls ages 23 and 17. She is a dedicated employee of 22 years with the State of Georgia in the field of social work. Deneka enjoys working to serve others, attending church, traveling and spending time with family.
Aprille Davis
Aprille S. Davis is a native of Valdosta, Georgia. Aprille matriculated through the Lowndes County School District graduating from Lowndes High School. She began studying music in elementary school and began performing and laying in the Marching Georgia Bridgeman in high school. Ms. Davis also received both an auxiliary/band and an academic scholarship to attend Morris Brown College. Immediately following high school graduation she attended Morris Brown College where she obtained her degree in mathematics and marched as a member of the Wolverines' Purple Passion color guard. Aprille is a member of Alpha Kappa Sorority, Incorporated Kappa Eta Omega Chapter. Presently, Aprille is a math teacher at Druid Hills High School. She has been a cheer and dance coach in the Dekalb School District for 8 years.
Kangelon "KJ" Dexter
Kangelon "KJ" Dexter is an Air Force #Military Brat that grew up in the country of Germany. Learning to dance came naturally to Kangelon as she trained in ballet and modern dance at an earlier age in a traveling European dance troupe. In high school, she was part of the first DoDDS High School European Cheerleading Squad to compete in the nationally televised National Cheerleading Association – NCA All Stars Nationals competition. Upon high school graduation, she went on to graduate from Albany State University with a Dual BS in Marketing and Management, where she discovered the "World of Sisterhood and Steppin" and pledged Delta Rho Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc. and served as co-choreographer and step team member. She also holds an MBA in Marketing from Troy State University. Currently she devotes her time outside of her Marketing career as a Sr Manager of Global Product Marketing, to mentoring and training local teenage girls and collegiate women who participate in pageants and being a Youth and Worship leader at her church. Additionally, she manages the judging of the 10 year long running Annual Step Show hosted by Henry County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, "Stomp D.A.T (Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco).
James Anderson
Mr. James Anderson, Director of Bands at Booker T. Washington HS in Atlanta, Ga.
Has performed with Jazz Legends such as: Jazz trumpeter "Dizzy" Gillespie; performed on a cd recording with the Clark Atlanta University Jazz Orchestra with Jazz vibraphonist Lionel Hampton; Jazz flutist Hubert Laws; Jazz pianist Joe Sample; Jazz tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse; Jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis. Performed in the 1988 North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland and Switzerland with the Clark Atlanta University Jazz Orchestra.
The BTW Marching band was awarded $100,000 for new uniforms from Mr. Tyler Perry, performed for Mr, Tyler Perry on June 16th 2014 honoring him for an award from Service Unites. Marching performed for Mrs. Obama during her visit at Booker T. Washington HS in September 2014.
Former band director at Druid Hills HS 2002-2009 and in 2008 the marching band performed for the President of the country Colombia "A'lvaro Uribe" during his visit at Druid Hills HS. Druid Hills HS marching band also performed for the MTV show "Sweet Sixteen" for music mogul "P. Diddy's (Sean"Puffy" Combs) sons sweet 16th birthday party in Atlanta!
Minister of Music at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Powder Springs, Ga.