Meet the 2026 Celebrity Judges
Amber Nadelkov is a choreographer, teacher, manager, and creator in Central Florida. After spending many years expanding on her creative knowledge, vocabulary, and experience in cities such as Tampa, New York City and Nashville, she maintained an active performing career at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL where she performed as an Actors Equity dancer on Cinderella’s Castle Stage at the Magic Kingdom and Beauty and the Beast, Live Onstage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
She performed alongside artists including Disney’s Descendants and Meghan Trainor on nationally televised Disney Christmas specials. Has danced back up for LeAnn Rimes, Deborah Cox, and Debbie Gibson for events and live performances.
She is a choreographer, teacher, staging specialist, and event manager for multiple production companies across the country. She has choreographed AEA productions of Rock of Ages and Something Rotten! in Winter Garden, FL, with casts including Broadway veterans such as Justin Sargen, Christine Dwyer, and De’Lon Grant, and has also choreographed and directed for multiple local theaters in the Central Florida area. She has transitioned into Entertainment Management at Walt Disney World, where she works with performers in all areas at the parks. When she’s not working on shows and events, she travels the nation as an adjudicator for multiple regional and national dance competitions, sharing her love and knowledge of dance with future generations.
Charly Reynolds is a rising star in country music, captivating audiences with her authentic storytelling and vibrant sound. At just 25 years old, the Florida native has quickly established herself as a formidable singer-songwriter, with her debut album “Off The Record” showcasing a blend of Nashville twang and Texas dance hall charm. Released on September 20, 2024, the album features four compelling singles: “Love You Long,” “Somebody In Love,” “People Think,” and “Visiting Hours”, each offering a glimpse into Charly’s relatable experiences and heartfelt lyrics.
She is a proud OCPS alumnus who attended Blankner K8 and Boone High School. Before her debut album, Charly made waves with her 2023 EP, Perfect Timing. The six-track collection featured standout songs like “She Ain’t Me,” whose music video has surpassed two million views, the introspective “One Day at a Time,” and the poignant ballad “Flowers.” The EP’s launch was celebrated with sold-out shows in both Nashville, TN, and Orlando, FL.
She has shared the stage and lineup with artists such as Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Parker McCollum, Sara Evans, Maddie and Tae, Walker Hayes, JoDee Messina, and more. Charly’s sound is enriched by influences from country legends like Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, and Martina McBride. Her music resonates deeply with fans, offering a mix of lively anthems and heartfelt tracks that strike an emotional chord. Her rendition of “Neon Moon” made an impactful appearance in the Season 5 finale of FOX’s The Resident, further solidifying her presence in the industry. With plans for another headlining tour and more releases on the horizon, Charly Reynolds is an artist to watch, delivering a fresh sound and a genuine connection to her audience as she continues to carve out her niche in country music.
Neil Goldberg is an American theatre producer, Broadway director, award-winning author and founder of Cirque Dreams, Dream Studios, Variety Arts Management and POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance. His name is synonymous with creativity and quality family entertainment. In a career spanning over 4 decades, he has designed and produced shows for 2 Super Bowls, the NBA, ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Crayola, most major cruise lines, Armed Forces Entertainment, casinos and hotels worldwide.
Neil created Cirque Ingenieux, proclaimed “opulent and engaging” by The Washington Post and collaborated on the score with Golden-Globe winner Kitaro. His production of Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy was the first show of its kind to perform on Broadway at The Broadway Theatre and nominated for an American Theatre Wing Best Costume Design Award. In 2019 he sold Cirque Dreams to Cirque du Soleil.
The NY Daily News declared “There have only been a handful of shows that have generated an exclamation point as assertive as the ones created and directed by Neil Goldberg.” His shows have entertained over 50 million people worldwide in over 500 US cities and abroad with highlight engagements at the Kennedy Center; the Grand Ole Opry House; Ziegfeld Theatre, NYC; Dolby Theatre, LA; Alte Oper house, Frankfurt, Germany; Salle des Etoiles, Monaco; and the Ministry of Bahrain Summer Festival.
The LA Times proclaimed Neil “A leading theatrical impresario and circus maven.” He has been featured on the Today show, GMA, CNN, Fox and Friends, CBS Saturday, Sirius XM, iHeartRadio, The Kelly Clarkson Show and numerous magazines, covers and publications.
In 2021, Neil conceived and wrote POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, an illustrated children’s holiday book published and distributed worldwide. The book series has received 14 coveted book awards and available worldwide. In collaboration with Armed Forces Entertainment, POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance has entertained over 150,000 services members and their families abroad and the books are part of USO’s Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program & Libraries. In 2022, PSC was made into a 30-minute holiday television special, winning 9 Telly Awards.
In 2025, POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance debuted a live, immersive holiday stage spectacular with residency engagements at Gaylord Palms in Orlando and Gaylord Opryland in Nashville. Over its seven-week run, the production entertained over 100,000 people, generated 200+ media pieces, and achieved 4.5 million in social media reach. SiriusXM hailed it as “This decades new family brand and immersive holiday show phenomenon.” By popular demand, the shows will return to Orlando and Nashville in 2026 while adding a third residency production at Atlantis Resorts, Paradise Island, Bahamas. PSC is currently in development on a future Broadway engagement and animated television series.
Neil Goldberg and his entertainment companies continue to focus on developing creative brand experiences, live shows, multimedia, unique costume creations and consulting. He is the founding philanthropist of the Neil Goldberg Dream Foundation, established to enrich the arts.
Steve MacKinnon is a dynamic theatre artist and creative leader dedicated to crafting transformational entertainment and educational experiences that inspire, challenge, and shape the world around us. Recognized by the Orlando Sentinel as “Central Florida’s go-to guy for musical theatre,” Steve has made a significant impact across some of the region’s most respected arts institutions, including Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando Family Stage (Orlando REP), Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and Theatre Downtown.
Nationally, Steve’s work spans a wide range of disciplines as a director, teaching artist, music director, conductor, and vocal coach. His diverse portfolio includes collaborations with Disney Theatrical Group, Theatreworks USA, Radio City Entertainment, Telsey Casting, Virgin Voyages, Universal Creative, SeaWorld Orlando, MTV, and beyond- demonstrating a unique ability to bridge commercial entertainment, professional theatre, and arts education at the highest levels.
For the past 18 years, Steve has served as a resident teaching artist for Disney Imagination Campus’s Broadway Magic workshops at Walt Disney World, in partnership with Disney Theatrical Group, Disney on Broadway, and Disney Cruise Line. Through this work, he has helped shape the artistic journeys of students from around the globe, with programs reaching participants from South Korea, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Kenya, and across the United States.
In his role as Senior Artistic Director for Theatre at St. Luke’s and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Steve leads innovative community arts initiatives that prioritize accessibility, intergenerational collaboration, and meaningful arts education. His work is rooted in the belief that the arts can serve as a powerful connector- bringing together professionals, emerging artists, students, volunteers, and first-time performers to grow, create, and build lasting relationships. Under his leadership, Theatre at St. Luke’s has become a renowned, vibrant creative hub in Central Florida, fostering both artistic excellence and a deeply connected community.