2026 World Finals Judge
Yongjing Li
Jessica is a dynamic and enthusiastic artistic director with a flair for inclusivity and years of experience in producing, choreographing and performing productions including dance and circus arts, with a particular focus on children’s education.
Jessica currently runs an innovative circus franchise with 21 branches nationally, curating bespoke syllabi, including a fully inclusive space for children, and training to provide profitable and easily replicated circus classes for franchisees, such that, professional circus and children’s entertainment are created for private, corporate, and council events. Her programme also includes projects for primary schools.
As a very versatile graduate of Bird College, UK, from 2008-2022 Jessica performed as a freelancer in many theatre shows and pantomimes in various styles, from ballet to tap and jazz, and Irish traditional. She danced and sang in cruise ship entertainment programmes, and toured Europe in other shows. Indeed, Jessica performed as a solo aerialist in corporate and cruise ship performances all over the world. Jessica has also appeared in various television variety productions.
During these years as a performer, Jessica was also casting, choreographing and producing other projects, pantomimes and events, stage shows and circus acts for her own purposes and for clients. In fact, Jessica’s expertise in acrobatics and conventional dance has led to her filling the role of Head of judging Acro classes for DWC since 2021 and determining the judging criteria of the genre. Consequently, Jessica is frequently participating on the judges panel at both national competitions and the Finals.
Jessica currently runs an innovative circus franchise with 21 branches nationally, curating bespoke syllabi, including a fully inclusive space for children, and training to provide profitable and easily replicated circus classes for franchisees, such that, professional circus and children’s entertainment are created for private, corporate, and council events. Her programme also includes projects for primary schools.
As a very versatile graduate of Bird College, UK, from 2008-2022 Jessica performed as a freelancer in many theatre shows and pantomimes in various styles, from ballet to tap and jazz, and Irish traditional. She danced and sang in cruise ship entertainment programmes, and toured Europe in other shows. Indeed, Jessica performed as a solo aerialist in corporate and cruise ship performances all over the world. Jessica has also appeared in various television variety productions.
During these years as a performer, Jessica was also casting, choreographing and producing other projects, pantomimes and events, stage shows and circus acts for her own purposes and for clients. In fact, Jessica’s expertise in acrobatics and conventional dance has led to her filling the role of Head of judging Acro classes for DWC since 2021 and determining the judging criteria of the genre. Consequently, Jessica is frequently participating on the judges panel at both national competitions and the Finals.