Ebony Johnson

Growing up, Ebony navigated her way through the entertainment industry, making acting and dancing appearances on shows like A Different World, Wonder Years, The Boys Special, Soul Train, and more. She even landed a dancing and understudy role in the Disney movie Polly, directed by Debbie Allen. Her early experiences in the industry laid a solid foundation for her future in dance.

Ebony pursued her passion for dance by earning a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Arizona State University, and holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Ebony trained extensively in various styles, including tap, hip hop, ballet, jazz, and modern, studying at the Universal Dance Theatre in Los Angeles, Lou Conte Dance Studio in Chicago, and Broadway Dance Center in New York.

With over 25 years of experience in studio and competitive team dance, Ebony’s passion for sharing her knowledge led her to roles as a high school dance team coach, studio dance instructor, choreographer, and co-founder of CircleUp Leadership. Her dedication to dance education and performance excellence has made her a respected figure in the dance community.

Today, Ebony owns 43rd Dance Collective, where she pioneers new standards in dance judging and drives excellence in dance competitions. She is committed to fair and balanced adjudication, serving as a national judge for Dance Team Union, Varsity Brands, NMAA, IHSDTA, AIA, One Rhythm Dance, and more. Additionally, she is the Credential Manager & Instructor for the National Dance Coaches Association (NDCA).