The DAN Team
The Dance Adjudication Network (DAN) is led by an international team, drawn from the Breaking community and dedicated to promoting fair and transparent judging.
Niels "Storm" Robitzky (Germany)
Architect of Trivium/ThreeFold Systems
Legendary b-boy and performer, Niels has almost four decades of dance
experience under his belt. Many credit Niels and the generation he
inspired with keeping Breaking alive when it lost popularity in the late
1980s. He made the shift from competing in b-boying to judging it in
1997 and eventually took on the task of developing the approach the
international Breaking scene takes to judging. This approach culminated
in the judging system used for the Undisputed Championships in the
mid-2010s.
When the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) successfully
bid to have Breaking included in the Argentina 2018 Youth Olympic Games,
Niels was tasked with formalising the judging system and codifying it
so that it could pass the scrutiny of the International Olympic
Committee. Working with Kevin "Renegade" Gopie, and consulting the major
thinkers in judging Breaking on the scene, Niels produced a system that
encourages Fairness, Accountability, Consistency, Transparency and
Statistics.
So far, Niels and Kevin have trained almost 300 judges world-wide in the use of the Trivium and Threefold judging systems.
He
provides the philosophical leadership to the team and continues to
promote fair, professional judging. He has a book on the topic coming
out soon.
Kevin "Renegade" Gopie (UK)
Co-Creator of Trivium/ThreeFold Systems
Kevin began dancing in the UK in the early 1980s with Breaking and Popping. He remained a prominent figure in the worldwide Breaking scene as a judge for the UK B-Boy Championships, as a DJ and as a coach.
Kevin worked closely with Niels to develop the rules and judging system the International Olympic Committee approved for the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2018. Kevin is an outspoken advocate for modernising and professionalising the role of judging in Breaking.
So far, Niels and Kevin have trained almost 300 judges world-wide in the use of the Trivium and Threefold judging systems.
Kevin provides ongoing coaching and training for judges and coaches in use and utilisation of the Trivium and Threefold systems.
Jurriaan "Jurskee" Bouterse (Netherlands)
Trainer and Mentor
During the 30 years that Jurskee has been Breaking he stayed active and involved by performing with his crew, both commercial as in theater, by teaching and giving workshops at local dance schools and dance academies national and international, by judging competitions since 2016, by organizing on a local level and by working at The Notorious IBE since 2010 where he started contributing to the artistic programming and has been moderating talks shows on a yearly basis. One of the more recent highlights in his carreer has been his involvement in setting up the first 3-year vocational study centered around Breaking at Creative College in Utrecht that started in 2021.
Judging has always been a big interest of Jurskee and something that he takes very serious. As a result of this there has been at least one IBE talk show every year based around a subject that concerns judging with speakers that have been on the forefront of the international developments of judging systems, including the system that was introduced to the IOC when Breaking made its debut at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.
Here are some of the talks Jurskee moderated at The Notorious IBE over the years:
Title: Dyzee & the O.U.R. Judges System. Speaker: Karl Olivier ‘Dyzee’ Alba (IBE 2012)
Title: Old/New Dialectics: In Search of a Way of Judging. Speakers: Niels ‘Storm’ Robitzky / Kevin ‘Renegade’ Gopie / Bart van Rosmalen / Gaby Allard (IBE 2013)
Title: The Future of Competition Breaking. Speaker(s): Kevin ‘Renegade’ Gopie (IBE 2014)
Title: Do We Need A Judges System? Speakers: Dyzee / Niek / Kevin ‘Renegade’ Gopie (IBE 2015)
Title: No More Ties. Speakers: Kevin ‘Renegade’ Gopie / Niek (IBE 2017)
Title: Creating a Judging System (explaining the Trivium). Speaker: Niels ‘Storm’ Robitzky (IBE 2018)
Title: Olympic Gold Rush. Speakers: Crazy Legs / Bgirl Hurricane / Moy / Kevin ‘Renegade’ Gopie / Paul van Dal (IBE 2019)
Emmanouil "Emmanuel Fox" Chalkiadakis (Greece)
Trainer and Mentor
Emmanuel heads up the Dance Adjudication Network's social media account.
Niilante Ogunsola-Ribeiro (UK)
Managing Director / Tech Lead
Niilante has over a decade of experience creating online learning with experience in mandatory training, continuous professional development and accredited learning up to post-graduate level.
He has facilitated the creation of the Threefold and Trivium exams along with certification of all Trivium and Threefold certified judges to date.
He will plan and develop the online-learning components of the next versions of Threefold and Trivium training. He manages the project roadmap and task list while providing the learning solutions consultancy for the D.
Although his background is firmly rooted in biological sciences (Anatomy BSc and Clinical Neuroscience MSc) he now specialises in Learning Technology systems and processes. He brings idea generation and creative problem-solving skills he gained while working in the EdTech sector. He is passionate about agile project management and data-driven-decision making.
Niilante has been Breaking since 2005.
Jacob 'Kujo' Lyons (USA)
Trainer and Mentor
Jacob "Kujo" Lyons is a deaf/hard-of-hearing b-boy based in Los Angeles, California. He's been breaking for 33 years, is considered a pioneer of numerous movements now accepted as standard breaking vocabulary, and continues to be a teacher and mentor to many young b-boys and b-girls.
Over his long career, Kujo has:
- Judged many of the largest international competitions in the world, including many qualifying events for the 2024 Paris Olympics, in which he was frequently a judge or head judge.
- Taught and coached students of all levels and all abilities - beginners and elites, able-bodied and differently-abled.
- Presented his choreography at numerous American and international festivals of dance and circus, and won numerous awards.
- Worked with US Embassies in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa through a variety of programs sponsored by the US State Department, including Arts Envoy and Sports Envoy programs.
Kujo has also co-founded two major groups which have had a profound impact on the global Breaking community:
- Soul Control, formed in 1996, blazed new trails in power moves and other movement vocabulary, which pushed b-boys around the world to level up in response. Soul Control continues its legacy with a younger generation that spans the US from coast to coast.
- ILL-Abilities, formed in 2007, an international crew of elite b-boys who all happen to be differently-abled. ILL-Abilities offers performances, workshops, and speaking engagements around the world, and continues to participate in elite-level Breaking competitions against the best able-bodied breakers.
Kujo has a Bachelor's degree in kinesiology, and his extensive knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics and fundamental human movement heavily influenced his development of movement, and continues to permeate his workshops.
David "Spin" Gaviria (UK)
Trainer and Mentor
Hailing from Santiago de Cali , Colombia and now resident in London, B-Boy Spin is a dynamic and influential figure in the world of breaking, known for his lightning-fast footwork, intricate style, and relentless passion for the culture. A standout talent from the UK, Spin has been an essential part of the international breaking scene for many years, earning his place as one of the most respected B-Boys in the game. His reputation for creativity and precision, combined with his unyielding drive to innovate, has made him a standout competitor, teacher, and ambassador for breaking.
Spin’s journey began in the early 2000s when he first discovered the world of breaking. His love for the art form and dedication to mastering his craft quickly set him apart from his peers. As a member of the prestigious Soul Mavericks crew, Spin made waves in numerous competitions and became known for his explosive power moves and smooth, fluid transitions. His ability to blend strength with finesse has earned him a dedicated following and a place among the top-tier B-Boys.
Throughout his career, B-Boy Spin has competed and judged at some of the most respected breaking events worldwide, including the UK B-Boy Championships, Battle of the Year, and Red Bull BC One. His versatility as both a competitor and a judge has made him a highly sought-after figure in the scene, respected for his fair and insightful approach to judging while maintaining a deep understanding of the technical and artistic elements of breaking.
Spin's deep knowledge of breaking and his ability to spot the finest details in every performance are useful in training and supporting the next generation of judges.
Candy Bloise (USA)
Trainer and Mentor
New York native Candy Bloise has been dancing since she could walk. Growing up in Washington Heights, surrounded by rich culture and diverse communities, Candy quickly discovered her passion for breaking and performance. During high school, she was deeply involved in the arts, participating in the school’s Jazz Choir, Musical Theatre group, and, of course, breaking. By the age of seventeen, she was already competing across the USA, showcasing her talent and determination on some of the biggest stages.
Candy's early fame came with features in People Magazine and The New Yorker, and she was invited as a special guest on the Sharon Osbourne Show, where her talent and energy captured the hearts of viewers nationwide. After high school, she pursued higher education and performance opportunities, earning an Associate's Degree with the highest honours from Philadelphia Community College.
Her breaking career soared as she won numerous titles, including the UK Championships 3-on-3 B-Girl Battle, and has since become a well-known face in the international scene. Candy’s passion for the culture led her to teach workshops throughout the UK and Europe, and in 2013, she completed her "Find Your Flava" workshop tour in Frankfurt, Germany.
Beyond breaking, Candy has had a successful career in performance, appearing in the movie Step Up 3D and various music videos. She continues to compete while also honing her craft through her studies in Drama at the University of Huddersfield. As a respected judge, she has officiated at breaking competitions like Floor Rippers (UK), Manhattan Cypher (Germany), and Cypher Sessions (Belfast).
Candy represents the Mighty Zulu Kweenz and Heartbreakerz, and she continues to inspire with her dynamic style, dedication, and mentorship. Her journey as a performer, teacher, and judge has made her a powerful advocate for the breaking culture, and she remains an unwavering force in the world of breaking.