Our Judges

Doug is a local media personality who has hosted television programs including The Doug Garrison Show and Doug Garrison’s New Year’s Eve LIVE.  He is currently the publisher of Word on the Street, a weekly blog about things of interest in Marquette County. His media experience has given him the opportunity to discover and feature many different area artists including singers, musicians…and dancers! Doug was one of our original judges and is excited to be brought back for the All-Star Edition.

Don Ryan is a lifetime Yooper whose experience includes working in radio and television, government and private industry. He started working when he was a sophomore in high school at WJPD in Ishpeming and later worked at WDMJ and WJAN. His early career in broadcasting included serving as news, sports and weather reporter at WLUC-TV in Marquette. While there, he was also promoted to management positions including Operations Manager and Station Manager

In 1975, Don was appointed District Representative for Congressman Phil Ruppe, and he joined the staff of The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company in 1977 and was promoted to District Manager of Public Affairs in 1982.

He returned to WLUV-TV in 2003 as the Host and Producer of The Ryan Report, and continues to work today as a member of the TV6 News Department.

Ryan’s interest in economic development included serving in leadership positions with the Lake Superior Community Partnership, Operation Action UP, the Lake Superior Jobs Coalition, the Ishpeming Chamber of Commerce and the Central Upper Peninsula Job Force Board.

In 2019, WLUC-TV6 & FOX UP named Don Ryan as the first recipient of the Carl V. Pellonpaa Lifetime Achievement Award because of his dedication to area businesses and the community.

While not involved with dancing, Don has always had an interest in show business, producing some entertainment specials for TV6, and serving as part of Ishpeming’s Allegro singing group where he was their master of ceremonies and writer and performer in some of their special productions.

Assistant Director of Dance

Maureen McFadden has been teaching dance for over 20 years, She graduated with a minor in dance from Northern Michigan University. Maureen founded Upper Peninsula Dance Outreach and has also been a dance pro for our local Marquette County Dancing with Our Stars for the past 8 years. She is currently the Senior Services Manager for the City of Marquette.