Mary Murphy
Mary Murphy has served as a guest judge on “So You Think You Can Dance” since the first season, but the producers finally saw that her infectious laugh and winning smile helped make the show a success. This year, it was announced that Mary would join co-creator/head judge Nigel Lythgoe as a permanent judge on the extremely successful show.
Mary was born in Lancaster, Ohio. She was very athletic at a young age, playing many sports alongside her three brothers. After high school, she attended Ohio University, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education with a minor in modern dance. She had visions of using her physical education degree to teach children with learning disabilities through dance and repetitive movement. However, Mary’s life career plans took a change when, looking for a summer job, she applied at a local dance studio to become an instructor. The owner took her to the United States Ballroom Championships and Mary was hooked on dancing.
In Blackpool, England, Mary met her dance partner Manfred Siglitz. They danced in many competitions, winning the Austrian National Champions in 1990 and 1991. However, because of the traveling distance between the two (Mary lived in San Diego, Manfred lived in England), they parted ways. Mary and partner Bill Milner made the finals of the U.S. Open Standard. She and partner Jim Desmond made the finals of the United States Open American Smooth. The pair won went on to win the United States Open American Nine Dance.
Mary retired from competition and decided to open her own dance studio, Champion Ballroom Academy, in downtown San Diego in 1990. She has served as a judge for many dance competitions including the United States National Ballroom Championships. She also co-organizes the San Diego Dancesport Championships as well as the Holiday Dance Classic in Las Vegas. She was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Heritage Dance Classic in 2007.
In addition to filling a judge’s role in “So You Think You Can Dance,” Mary has served as a dance consultant on the movie “Mary Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School” and for an episode of “Point Pleasant.” Mary has been a dancing double for Julia Roberts (in “Something To Talk About”) and appeared in “Dance With Me” with Vanessa Williams.
With the success of “So You Think You Can Dance” (this year’s two hour premiere brought in 10.3 million viewers – the highest summer premiere for Fox in over two years), it’s no doubt that we will be enjoying Mary’s judging for some time to come.
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