Stacy Paydo just completed her 15th season kicking up her heels as a world-famous “Radio City Rockette”. As a Rockette, she has had the opportunity to perform on “The TONY Awards”, “The Rockefeller Center Holiday Christmas Tree Lighting”, the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”, “The Today Show”, “The Chew”, “The Wendy Williams Show”, “The Meredith Vieria Show”, “Michael Bubble’s Christmas Special”, and the stages of both Radio City Music Hall and The Grand Ole Opry. In addition to the annual Christmas Spectacular she performed in the “NY Spectacular” Directed and Choreographed by Mia Michaels.
Her professional career began at the age of seven when she was named the “Star Search National Dance Champion” after appearing on the hit TV show seven times. Stacy’s other credits include Princess Cruise Lines, industrials for Ocean Pacific and Diet Pepsi, “The Jerry Lewis Telethon”, the EDGE Scholarship show in Los Angeles, and Disney’s Pediatric Aids Benefit with Paula Abdul.
Ms. Paydo is a graduate of Arizona State University where she studied Business and Dance. She is in her 20th year as a Universal Dance Association master teacher, head instructor, summer material choreographer, and adjudicator. Her talent and skill has enabled her to work as a sought after Master Instructor in London, Paris, Chile, Ecuador, Italy, and throughout the States. Her choreography credits include the UDA NDTC opening number (ESPN), the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” performance for the 800 Spirit of America Dance participants (NBC), as well as numerous National Finalists teams at both UDA College and HS Nationals many of which consistently place in the Top 5.
Stacy serves as a resident choreographer for numerous studios throughout the country. Her work has earned a slew of IDA Nominations, National Overall Titles, and Choreographic Awards. She is a versatile choreographer well schooled in all genres, however her creative strengths lie in Jazz, Broadway Jazz, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Contemporary, Pom, and Kick. She enjoys working with all ages and strives to make each piece memorable and unique.
Several students of Stacy’s have gone on to have successful careers of their own appearing on “So You Think You Can Dance”, working at Disney, performing in Wicked, and becoming Rockettes themselves. She is a veteran judge with numerous reputable dance competitions most notably Spotlight Dance Cup where she serves as an Event Manager, Show Director, and Judge Coordinator. Her judging expertise has lead her to be interviewed by “Dance Magazine” and you may have also caught her on an episode of “Dance Moms”.
Choreography
SDSU Dance Team - USA National Champs 2018
Millard West HS - UDA NDTC 2020
Rockbridge HS - NDA National Champs 2019
Best Open: “You Will Be Found” - IDA Nominee
Awards
Lindbergh High School
2020 7th Varsity High Kick UDA Nationals (NDTC)
2019 5th Varsity High Kick UDA Nationals (NDTC)
Millard West High School
2020 6th Varsity Small Jazz UDA Nationals (NDTC)
2019 12th Varsity Small Jazz UDA Nationals (NDTC)
2018 6th Varsity Small Jazz UDA Nationals (NDTC)
2017 4th Varsity Small Jazz UDA Nationals (NDTC)
2016 5th Varsity Medium Jazz UDA Nationals (NDTC)
Rockbridge High School
2019 NDA National Champs Medium Varsity Team Performance
2018 3rd NDA Nationals Team Performance Large Varsity
2017 2nd NDA Nationals Team Performance Medium Varsity
College of New Jersey
2020 13th Open Jazz UDA College Nationals
San Diego State University
2019 12th Division 1A Jazz UDA College Nationals
2019 USA National Champs 4 Year Division 1
2018 11th Division 1A Jazz UDA College Nationals
2018 USA National Champs 4 Year Div 1
2017 7th Division 1A Jazz UDA College Nationals
2016 5th Division 1A Jazz UDA College Nationals
2016 USA National Champs 4 Year Division 1
2015 USA National Champs 4 Year Division 1
University of Colorado - Boulder
2017 7th Division 1A Pom UDA College Nationals
2016 6th Division 1A Pom UDA College Nationals
2015 8th Division 1A Pom UDA College Nationals
2014 4th Division 1A Pom UDA College Nationals
Testimonials
“Stacy Paydo has been coming to my studio for the last 12 years. I find her inspiring, insightful, and invested in those she works with and attentive to their growth as artists. Stacy is talented on a cerebral and physical level that makes my students experience in her classroom very impactful. She has a presence that demands their best and when she goes to work she expects everyone to be along for the ride. Her standard for herself and those she works with is high.”
“Stacy has visited our studio since 2012 as a guest teacher. She brings top notch, well organized choreography and delivers her material with the utmost professionalism. She is versatile in all styles and has created award winning pieces for us in contemporary, jazz, and musical theatre. Stacy pushes our dancers to become better by sharing inspiration from her life as a Rockette and by expecting them to always push the boundaries of what they believe they can do. “Stacy Week” is the week our dancers look forward to the most each summer.”
“Stacy has choreographed our NDTC Jazz routine for the past 5 years. Each year her artistic ability, attention to detail, and creative work inspires us. She truly has no sense of “fluff” in her routines and she guarantees a visually pleasing and refreshing routine for the judges and audience members. Our Choreography points are always high and that credit goes to Stacy. The girls look forward to working with her each year as she challenges them in their dance ability and loves them so deeply. We are grateful to have her in the MWDT family.”
“Stacy’s talent and work ethic is unprecedented. The movement in her routines and the artful execution of her vision is amazing to witness. She is extremely professional and very approachable. Stacy has the ability to engage our athletes, motivate them, challenge them, and set them up for optimal performance opportunities. Working with her is always a positive experience.”
Contact:
For booking inquiries, please click the button below. Stacy can also be reached via email.