MEET OUR ADJUDICATOR
This year, we're excited to have Wil Sabin from Sydney travelling to adjudicate for us.
Wil is looking forward to spending the weekend with us at PPACS and can’t wait to see the up and coming talent New Zealand has to offer.
We're also very lucky to have Hannah Watts adjudicate for us on Thursday, 27 April. Read more about Hannah here.
Wil Sabin is an internationally renowned choreographer and creative director based in Sydney. He frequently works with Australia’s leading recording artists in creating a unique image - from creative direction, through to choreography and styling.
At 16, Wil won the prestigious ‘New Zealand National Young Performer Award’ for Tap Dance and still holds the honour of being the youngest performer ever to win.
Wil’s clients include Cher, Jessica Mauboy, Ricki-Lee , Sneaky Sound System, Alfie Arcuri, Nat Conway, Timmy Trumpet, Prinnie Stevens, Paulini, Melissa Tkautz, Zoe Badwi, Deni Hines, Reece Mastin and Courtney Act.
He has also worked locally with international artists: Grammy nominated artist Deborah Cox and US Billboard #1 Artist Luciana, Melody Thornton (Pussycat Dolls), and performed alongside Sir Elton John in Hong Kong and toured extensively throughout Japan with international magician Cyril.
International credits as Creative Director/Show Choreographer/Director include the MGM Grand Casino - Macau, The Venetian Casino - Macau, and 'Maxims Dolls' launching the very first casino in Singapore - Resorts World Sentosa.
In 2014, Wil choreographed and directed the Australian original stage show “Sydney After Dark” for the Planet Hollywood Casino, working with SPI Entertainment in Las Vegas, USA.
He also launched the Andy Warhol exhibit at the NGV and is currently acting Creative Director for recording artists Nat Conway, the Winner of the Voice Australia, Alfie Arcuri, and one of Australia’s biggest powerhouse vocalists, Paulini.
Recent highlights include working as creative director for Nat Conway’s Australia Day performance at the Opera House for Channel 10, heading the entertainment program for the Australian Champion Small Business awards, and working as creative director for the winner of the Voice Australia, Alfie Arcuri’s top four release, “If They Only Knew”. Wil also choreographed the world first performance of Sneaky Sound System UFO at the SCG Mardi Gras stadium parade.
A milestone in his career would be producing, directing and choreographing the Sydney Mardi Gras 40th Anniversary Parade Activation for the Goddess of Pop, Cher, which was performed live to a crowd of 500,000 and televised live on SBS Australia.
More recently, Wil was a judge on Channel 7’s hit show “All Together Now” which was nominated for a Logie Award, had featured work on Australia’s Got Talent, along with travelling across New Zealand and Australia with his sold out master class series.
He frequently travels globally to teach workshops and masterclasses and is currently the director of the Wil Sabin Dance Academy in the Central Coast. His students have won Dancer of the Year the past two years, are frequently featured on the news, and travelled to Italy in 2022 and won overall world champion at the World Dance Movement. His talented students have also recently been featured on the latest season of Australia’s Got Talent and Wil was awarded International Coach of the Year at the World Championship of Performing Arts in USA.
Hannah Watts
Hannah Watts has been dancing since the age of three, training in various genres such as Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Lyrical and Hip-Hop.
In 2018, Hannah moved to Sydney, Australia where she attended Brent Street Studios to complete a full-time training course achieving her Diploma in Elite Performance and Performing Arts. While at Brent Street, she had the opportunity to film with The Voice Australia and perform at the Premier’s Gala alongside Marcia Hines. Hannah also had the opportunity to perform at Sydney’s Mardi Gras and be a part of the One Dance Collective.
2019 saw Hannah teaching dance at one of Sydney’s best Private Girl's Schools, Ascham School, where she could further her teaching experience and spread knowledge and love of dance.
In 2015 and 2017, Hannah was a part of the MEBA Senior Jazz Troupe that competed at the USASF Dance Worlds Competition held in Florida placing third in the world (2015) and second place internationally. In 2017 her team placed second in the Lyrical Jazz Open Division and ranked second internationally.
In 2016, Hannah won the Noel Burnett Tap Award and then went on to place in the top 12 at PACANZ Tap Nationals and won the People’s Choice Award along with the Most Promising Tap Dancer awarded by the judges. 2017 saw Hannah place third in the Ora Burnett Jazz Award and made the top 12 at the PACANZ Jazz Nationals.
Hannah has also accomplished her Solo Diplomas in NZAMD Jazz, NZAMD Contemporary and both BAL and NZAMD Tap. She has also completed all RAD ballet exams with distinction as well as Advanced 2 with Distinction.
Since moving back to New Zealand, Hannah has continued her love for teaching.
Dance has been Hannah’s passion since she was three and has taught her many life skills such as dedication, discipline and teamwork. With her growing experience, Hannah loves helping young and aspiring performers and dancers grow in their craft.
Hannah hopes to aspire her students whilst passing on her knowledge of this forever-changing industry. She believes that a strong base technique along with passion, dedication, discipline, determination, creativity and self-belief are the keys to being a great artist and performer.