WELCOME TO
⋆Our Story⋆
Shine was founded in 2005 to provide inclusive events that unite the dance community and honour the dance journey of each group, studio and individual. At Shine we believe that competition is a valuable platform for learning valuable life skills, forging new friendships, and inspiring motivation. We are committed to creating an atmosphere of authenticity, community, and connection, setting the stage for all participants to Shine. From our qualified adjudicators to our cutting-edge technology, meaningful awards, our people, policies, and communication, we bring dancers, teachers and families together to experience the magic of dance to connect and inspire.
We UNITE & EMPOWER the dance community!
The SHINE Promise
⋆ Honest Scoring
⋆ Every Award Has Meaning
⋆ Meticulous Adjudicator Selection
⋆ A Safe and Healthy Dance Culture for Youth
⋆ We Give Back to our Community
⋆Our Professional Team⋆
Founder + Director
TAMARA THOMPSON LEVI
Tamara Thompson Levi is a respected producer, educator, and speaker whose career spans performance, choreography, adjudication, and leadership development in dance. She found her second home and family at age three in Edmonton, Alberta, and has since dedicated her life to elevating the art and culture of dance across Canada and beyond.
A former professional dancer and choreographer, Tamara has worked with companies and brands including Alberta Ballet, Calvin Klein, MAC Cosmetics, and Festival Cruise Line, and created choreography for major events with New Balance. Her on-screen credits include TV movies, music videos, commercials, and the multi-award-winning dance film Black Angels.
In 2005, she founded Shine Dance Festival, a series of youth-focused events designed to foster a more holistic and supportive competition environment. Her experience as a teacher, adjudicator, and mentor inspired the creation of The Dance Leadership Institute—a professional education platform offering training, certification, mentorship, and consulting for dance educators and business owners. Among its flagship programs is TDLI’s Dance Adjudicator Training and Certification, which reflects Tamara’s passion for raising industry standards and nurturing professional excellence.
A featured presenter at the Toronto Dance Teacher Expo and frequent podcast guest, Tamara speaks internationally on leadership in dance, educator wellness, team culture, and professional growth—empowering artists and educators to lead with purpose, clarity, and care.
🎥 Watch her interview onDance Talks or hear her featured on
The Dance Physio Podcast andVoice of the Artist.
MADI HIRSEKORN
Event Coordinator
Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Madi grew up immersed in competitive dance. After high school, she moved to Vancouver to train in the Intensive Training Program at Harbour Dance Centre, where she became deeply involved in the commercial dance scene and discovered a passion for movement in all its forms.
Over the next five years, Madi danced with Studio North Dance Complex, managed a studio in Port Moody, taught spin, and shared her love of dance across Vancouver—while also performing in various commercial projects.
Madi joined Shine in 2022 as the Event Coordinator, originally supporting communications, social media, and event preparation tasks. Her role has since evolved to include client relationships, crew and adjudicator travel logistics, partnerships, and crew leadership. At events, she serves as Shine’s Tabulator, working closely with adjudicators and assisting in the seamless execution of each competition.
Since returning to Calgary in 2024, Madi has continued her work with Shine remotely throughout the year while traveling back during event season. She also teaches spin and reformer Pilates, finding joy in helping others connect to movement in accessible, empowering ways. Deeply aligned with Shine’s mission of connection and celebration through movement, Madi hopes to help bring Shine to Alberta in the future.
WE BELIEVE
In honouring each individual’s personal journey through dance.
Dance fulfills a different purpose in each person’s life. Whatever the call to dance, the skills, lessons, and memories have a lifelong impact.
⋆Join The Shine FAMILY⋆
JOIN THE CREW
Are you a team player with a positive vibe who thrives in a fast-paced work environment and is dedicated to top-level customer service? If you answered YES to all of the above we would LOVE to hear from you! * You may recognize many members of our crew from their time on the Shine stage and as members of Canada’s professional performance community. A dance background is an asset, but not essential ;)
ADJUDICATE AT SHINE
Shine Adjudicators are role models and mentors committed to the healthy development of young artists. Do you have a deep experiential understanding of dance? Are you personable and articulate, with training and teaching experience in a broad range of levels and dance disciplines? Click below to find out how you can apply to join the Shine Adjudicator Roster.