The following 16 students have been named semifinalists for the 2026 Judy Morr Award for Dance out of 107 nominees in dance for Artist of the Year.
Selected by a panel of arts educators, these students stood out for both technical ability and expressive range across performance videos, written statements and artistic résumés.
Students are placed into two divisions based on their level of training, creating space for both emerging and highly experienced dancers. Division 1 includes those with five or more years of combined study, while Division 2 includes those earlier in their training. At least two Division 2 students are represented among the semifinalists.
In the next round, students will present their work live and interview with panels of professional artists and college faculty from across Southern California.
From this group, three finalists and one Artist of the Year in dance will be selected.
“Segerstrom Center for the Arts is honored to serve as naming sponsors for dance and theater for Orange County Artist of the Year,” said Lisa Middleton, the center’s vice president of marketing and communications. “As the largest performing arts center in Orange County, we know firsthand how essential the arts are to a vibrant community. We’re committed to helping keep the arts alive and accessible for the next generation of artists, because when we invest in young talent, we invest in the cultural future of Orange County.”
Finalists and Artists of the Year will be announced live at an awards celebration on May 13 at the Samueli Theatre on the campus of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. The event will feature performances and presentations by the seven top students and is free to attend with a reservation.
To support Artist of the Year with a donation, visit: bit.ly/4ekUNMv. Donations are made to Arts Orange County on behalf of Artist of the Year.
If you are interested in helping Artist of the Year grow by becoming a sponsor of this program, send an email to ocartistoftheyear@aoy.scng.com.
Ali Arambarri, senior, San Juan Hills High School
Division 2
Ali Arambarri of Mission Viejo, a senior at San Juan Hills High School, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Steve Wylie)
“I intend to pursue a career in the field of musical theater because, whether you are a performer, creator, educator or program director, musical theater offers endless ways to be creative and make a real impact. … If I got the opportunity to work as a performer or creator, I would have the chance to create or step into different types of characters and connect with audiences directly. If I got the opportunity to work as a program director or educator, I would get to expose others to musical theater and help them grow artistically. Honestly, I can picture myself running a performing arts program and guiding young artists to discover and develop their artistic strengths. It inspires me to think about helping others fall in love with the performing arts the same way I did and I believe creating new artists in the world may be the best impact I can make.”
Brianna Bedford, junior, Capistrano Valley High School
Division 2
Brianna Bedford of Mission Viejo, a junior at Capistrano Valley High School, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Brianna Bedford)
“The art comes from the passion, creativity, and self-expression put into it. It’s not seeing a dance for example, and copying it to a T. It’s taking that dance and making it yours. Adding your own personal spin on it because the dance is yours, describes you, and can be expressed so much more genuinely because it resonates with your mind.”
Aleah Crew, senior, Fullerton Union High School
Division 1
Aleah Crew of Fullerton, a senior at Fullerton Union High School, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Jane Won)
“My work in dance has deeply influenced my singing and how I approach performance as a whole. Dance has taught me breath control, musicality, and body awareness, which directly impact how I sing and perform vocally. Being physically connected to the music helps me stay grounded and expressive when I’m singing. As a dancer, I’ve learned how to communicate emotion through movement, and that understanding carries over into my singing. I’m more aware of phrasing, dynamics, and storytelling because I’ve trained myself to listen closely to the music and respond to it physically.”
Margie Gao, senior, Sage Hill School
Division 1
Margie Gao of Newport Coast, a senior at Sage Hill School, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Dylan Han)
“Being an artist means seeing the world through different lenses of possibilities and feeling compelled to grow, no matter the challenges one may encounter. Art is often seen as something subjective, but art is more than debating if it’s subjective or not. It’s a practice of noticing details, the small things that people typically overlook: the observation of someone’s habit, the emotion shift from hearing tonalities, or one’s presence when they enter a certain space. But artists have the ability to express that through different modes, whether audibly, visually, kinesthetically, or even cognitively, having the power of providing insights on life that cannot be shown with language alone.”
Rio Gomez, senior, Fullerton Union High School
Division 1
Rio Gomez of Fullerton, a senior at Fullerton Union High School, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Vince Trupsin)
“Artists are defiant. We reject the status quo, forging our own pathway. Artists are often met with disdain: people wonder why we choose such a ‘fickle’ and “unstable” field. However, an artist’s innate defiance reaps the best art. Defying norms forces people to tap into a novel school of thought. I think of Igor Stravinsky’s ballet “The Rite of Spring,” a bizarre mess to the audience of the early 20th century, but a masterpiece to the 21st century generation of artists. Artists like Stravinsky make waves in society through their deviance.”
Harper Hottinger, junior, San Juan Hills High School
Division 1
Harper Hottinger of Ladera Ranch, a junior at San Juan Hills High School, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Lee Gumbs)
“Dancing is like a therapy. When everything else is going wrong, I can turn to dance to express my emotions. I have never liked to seem vulnerable or weak and dance gives me the outlet to release all the hard without having to talk it through. Just like a painter would spend hours on creating a concept, studying, and painting, a dancer does all the same. We all spend tons of hours observing, taking class, preparing for performances. Dancers, painters, authors, etc. all are devoted and invested in the craft. It is so worth the commitment and hours because it brings out the best in everyone.”
Arabella Kim, junior, Orange County School of the Arts
Division 1
Arabella Kim of Anaheim, a junior at Orange County School of the Arts, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Seung Hee Kim)
“My goal as an artist is to use the performing arts as a medium for storytelling and connection to people. I want to create and perform works that communicate not only movement, but also emotions and stories with the rest of the world. I believe that the performing arts have the power to bring people together and convey ideas that surpass language and cultural boundaries. … As an artist, I aspire to share not only movement, but also emotion and experience. I want the audience to feel inspired, reflective, and connected.”
Ella Eunji Lee, senior, Sunny Hills High School
Division 1
Ella Eunji Lee of Fullerton, a senior at Sunny Hills High School, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Nikki Giblin)
“Being an artist means feeling a deep personal connection to the art you create or showcase. Being an artist does not mean that everyone needs to understand or agree with your work. Many artists connect their art to a personal story, emotion, or experience, and they choose to express it in ways that others may not understand. The individuality that each artist has is what makes art meaningful, because it allows artists to communicate feelings beyond words, even if the message is interpreted differently by each viewer.”
Arron Myers, senior, Los Alamitos High School
Division 1
Arron Myers of Los Alamitos, a senior at Los Alamitos High School, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Arron Myers)
“Beyond dance I have become deeply involved with the art of music itself. I have taken on singing, piano, and guitar in recent years. Dance has made me appreciate the gift of song and inspired me to use my creativity in creating music as well. I currently sing with my national award-winning show choir and I also have expanded my musical knowledge and began writing my own music.”
William Oh, senior, JSerra Catholic High School
Division 1
William Oh of Newport Beach, a senior at JSerra Catholic High School, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Claire Imler)
“Dance taught me how to win, but more importantly it taught me how to lose. As an art form and a sport abundant in competition and comparison, dancing revealed to me that growth is not measured by placements and comments, but by resilience and persistence. Learning to get back up stronger after a loss and continue moving forward — that’s one lesson, if anything, that life consistently requires. Learning to process disappointment without losing motivation has shaped how I approach challenges beyond the studio. Whether it comes to academics, relationships, or personal goals, I have learned to approach setbacks as opportunities to become stronger rather than as failures.”
Ella Smallwood, senior, San Juan Hills High School
Division 1
Ella Smallwood of Ladera Ranch, a senior at San Juan Hills High School, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Alex Alba)
“Being an artist means being able to express your emotions and feelings through your dance movements and sharing your story. I like to always challenge myself to stand out in my performances and make the audience notice me. I admire dancers who demand my attention so much that I can’t take my eyes off them. I strive to perform like that. It takes a lot of time and effort to perfect my performances. Countless hours of work is necessary to make sure my piece looks clean and crisp. When I feel confident I can express my emotions better. Preparation is key.”
Devynn Smark, senior, San Juan Hills High School
Division 1
Devynn Smark of Laguna Niguel, a senior at San Juan Hills High School, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Kathleen Smark)
“I aspire to be someone who creates art and teaches it as well. I love choreographing pieces and in the future I want to create as much art as I can and share my ideas to the community and beyond. I want to teach the younger generation my experiences and encourage them to make their own. I very specifically want to teach about originality and not trying to “fit in” a community. I want to spread my own messages on my own experiences within dance and support and teach young artists to explore their creative side and enjoy movement.”
Anthony Terricciano, senior, Orange County School of the Arts
Division 1
Anthony Terricciano of Irvine, a senior at Orange County School of the Arts, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Christina Hughes)
“As a Black and Asian person adopted by White parents, I grew up searching for a sense of belonging. That uncertainty deepened when my birth mother passed away during my sophomore year, and with her went answers only she could have given me. When the grief surfaced fully, dance became the place where I could process emotions my words could not hold. … More recently, meeting other adopted dancers at an intensive shifted my view of self-identity; seeing it as something evolving instead of missing. This experience deepened my passion as it reminded me that dance is the one place where I feel whole.”
Vivienne Tran, junior, Garden Grove High School
Division 2
Vivienne Tran of Garden Grove, a junior at Garden Grove High School, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Vivienne Tran)
“Being an artist means embracing vulnerability. Artists often reveal pieces of the creator that are not easily expressive by everyday conversations like fear, hope, joy, or uncertainty. By choosing to create, an artist accepts the first the risk of being misunderstood or judge, yet continues anyway. Such courage is central to what makes art powerful. When someone encounters a piece of art, they are not just seeing the final product but also witnessing a moment of honesty and compassion from another human being.”
Ava Woinarowicz, senior, Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Division 1
Ava Woinarowicz of Dana Point, a senior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Jordan Blais)
“Dance has shown me that artistry exists in both major events and quiet moments of practice and perseverance. Each time I enter the studio, I share a part of myself, whether learning new choreography, auditioning, or performing. This exposure, though daunting, is what gives art its power. I have learned that embracing discomfort and taking risks is central to true artistry. … Ultimately, being an artist is a lifelong commitment to growth, self-expression, and passion. Dance has shaped my character, work ethic, and confidence.”
Cynthia Zhang, junior, Orange County School of the Arts
Division 1
Cynthia Zhang of Rowland Heights, a junior at Orange County School of the Arts, is a dance semifinalist for Artist of the Year in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Qing Jiang)
“In my opinion, to be an artist is to utilize one’s creativity to its fullest capacity as a way to understand, interpret, and respond to the world. An artist observes carefully, especially things that go unnoticed — and transforms these observations into meaningful expressions. Through this process, art becomes a nonverbal language. A language that is used to communicate ideas and feelings that words alone cannot.”