"My family and friends encouraged me to audition for So You Think You Can Dance," she recalls. "I have always wanted to see more tap on the show. You see so many other styles of dance, but I felt as if there was a shortage of tap. It's a trend I've also seen in the dance world. It inspired me to get out there and show everybody how cool tap can be."

Wearing her trademark combat boot tap shoes, Juliano showed just how hip hoofing can be. She was pushed through to Vegas and from there was selected for the top 20. And she was definitely in good company. Proving to be the year of the tapper, Juliano was joined by male tappers Curtis Holland and Aaron Turner. Together, the three made their debut in an incredible tap trio to Jason Mraz's "You Did It." Host Cat Deeley deemed them "Gene Kellys for a new generation," while Rock of Ages director Adam Shankman called the number "the best, most fun tap routine we've ever had on this show."

The trio of tappers even had the opportunity to reprise their routine at the Dizzy Feet Gala, an annual fundraising event that brings together some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. It was the only dance from Season 10 brought to the event. Juliano admits it was one of the most memorable nights of her life, as she rubbed elbows with some of Hollywood's hottest celebs.

"It was incredible. I didn't expect it at all. It was cool to be able to perform in front of big-name celebrities. It was an amazing experience to be one of the only tap groups in the show."

Despite the initial warm reception from the panel of judges including Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy early in the season, Juliano quickly realized it wasn't going to be easy. She points out that there are a lot of pre-conceived notions about tap dancers.

Juliano explains: "I knew it was going to be hard going in as a tapper. Tappers are known for only doing their own styles. However, all of the tappers this season were more well-rounded."

Going into the top 20 competition, Juliano was paired with contemporary dancer Nico Greetham. From hip-hop to jazz numbers, the couple had the opportunity to work with some of the most respected choreographers in the industry, including Christopher Scott, Stacey Tookey, Spencer Liff and Sonya Tayeh. Practicing around 30 hours a week, Juliano maintains it was one of the most incredible experiences of her life.