2026 Competitors

Team Representative 

Sean Morris 

About the Team 

Founded in 2004, Firemaster Productions has grown from a small regional fireworks provider into one of Canada’s premier large-scale pyrotechnic companies, producing more than 125 displays annually across Canada and internationally. 

Originally focused on smaller community displays, the company evolved into an internationally recognized leader in large-scale pyro-musical productions. Today, Firemaster Productions is known for delivering world-class spectacles that combine powerful choreography, vibrant color palettes, and emotionally driven musical storytelling. 

The company specializes in custom pyro-musicals where audiences expect a visually stunning and technically advanced performance. From major public celebrations to elite international competitions, Firemaster Productions has built a reputation for creating unforgettable audience experiences. 

One of the company’s signature annual productions is the massive two-barge Canada Day fireworks display in Toronto Harbour — one of Canada’s most recognized celebrations.  

Firemaster Productions is also a proud family-run business, with Sean Morris’ wife, children, and their spouses all playing active roles throughout the company’s operations.  

Led by President and Lead Designer Sean Morris, the company has competed against many of the most respected fireworks teams in the world. With more than 20 years of design experience, Sean is known for creating intricate pyro-musicals featuring custom in-house soundtracks, bold use of color, elegant pacing, and explosive finales that leave lasting impressions on audiences. 

Firemaster Productions is honored to represent Team Canada at the 2026 Traverse City International Fireworks Championship and looks forward to bringing its signature style and passion for pyrotechnics to the international stage. 

Competitive Highlights 

• Produces more than 125 fireworks displays annually 
• 2014 Blackpool World Fireworks Championships (UK) – 1st Place 
• 2018 Blackpool World Fireworks Championships (UK) – 1st Place 
• 2019 Honda Celebration of Light (Canada) – 1st Place 
• 2017 Calgary International Fireworks Competition – 1st Place 
• 2016 Hannover International Fireworks Competition (Germany) – 2nd Place 
• 2025 Hannover International Fireworks Competition (Germany) – 2nd Place 
• Competed internationally in Canada, Germany, Portugal, and the United Kingdom 
• Specialists in large-scale pyro-musical productions 

What to Expect in Traverse City 

Expect a beautifully choreographed performance filled with rich color, emotional musical storytelling, and world-class precision. Firemaster Productions is known for creating elegant pyro-musicals that flow seamlessly from moment to moment while building toward massive, crowd-shaking finales. Their signature style blends artistry, emotion, and technical excellence into an unforgettable championship experience.

Team Representative 

Tony Taylor 

About the Team 

Founded and led by veteran designer Tony Taylor, Pyro International has become one of New Zealand’s premier providers of large-scale public fireworks entertainment, specializing in synchronized pyro-musicals and emotionally driven live productions. 

With more than 20 years of experience designing and producing displays across New Zealand, Tony Taylor has built a reputation for precision choreography, strong musical storytelling, and maximizing visual impact through carefully calculated design. 

Operating within the New Zealand market has required a unique level of discipline and creativity. Designing under tight budgets has refined Tony’s approach to fireworks — where every effect, every cue, and every sequence must serve a purpose. This philosophy has helped shape Pyro International’s signature style: clean choreography, deliberate pacing, and powerful emotional structure. 

At the core of Pyro International’s identity is a passion for pyro-musicals. The company focuses heavily on synchronization, rhythm, contrast, and spatial design to create immersive audience experiences that feel both technically precise and emotionally memorable. 

Tony believes fireworks should tell a story — building tension, emotion, and excitement through carefully timed visual moments that connect directly with the music and audience. 

Pyro International is honored to represent New Zealand at the 2026 Traverse City International Fireworks Championship and looks forward to bringing its distinct creative style and international perspective to the competition stage. 

Competitive Highlights 

• More than 20 years of professional fireworks design experience 
• Specialists in synchronized pyro-musicals 
• Extensive experience producing large-scale public displays across New Zealand 
• Known for efficient, precision-based choreography and musical synchronization 
• Strong focus on emotional pacing and visual storytelling 
• Designs centered around rhythm, contrast, and maximum visual impact 

What to Expect in Traverse City 

Expect a performance built on timing, precision, and emotional energy. Pyro International is known for creating tightly choreographed pyro-musicals where every cue has intention and every sequence serves the music. Their signature style blends clean design, powerful pacing, and striking visual contrast into a performance designed to captivate audiences from beginning to end. 

Team Representative 

Paweł Krzyżanowski 

About the Team 

Founded in 1995, Nakaja Art is proudly celebrating 30 years as one of Europe’s premier fireworks companies and Poland’s leading professional fireworks display producer. As one of the first professional pyrotechnic companies established in Poland, Nakaja Art has become internationally recognized for creating award-winning pyromusicals and large-scale multimedia fireworks spectaculars across Europe, North America, and beyond. 

The name “Nakaja” originates from the Japanese language and can be interpreted as “inside” or “inner,” symbolizing the company’s philosophy of creating “art from inside the soul and heart.” This passion for emotional storytelling and artistic precision has become the foundation of Nakaja Art’s internationally acclaimed productions. 

Over the years, Nakaja Art has earned a reputation for combining world-class choreography, cinematic musical synchronization, massive firing lines, and emotionally driven finales into unforgettable performances. Their productions range from historic city celebrations and international festivals to elite world championship competitions. 

Among the company’s most notable annual productions was the Midsummer Night celebration in Kraków, staged along the historic Vistula River beside Wawel Castle and attended by more than 100,000 spectators. Today, one of Nakaja Art’s signature productions is the spectacular multimedia performance at Nysa Lake — a 45-minute production combining fireworks, lasers, lighting effects, water fountains, stage pyrotechnics, and flame systems. 

Nakaja Art is also responsible for major pyrotechnic productions during large-scale air shows in Poland, some featuring firing lines extending over 1.5 kilometers in length. 

The 2026 Traverse City International Fireworks Championship performance will be designed by Paweł Krzyżanowski, Nakaja Art’s lead designer and one of Poland’s most accomplished pyromusical creators. Throughout his career, Paweł has earned more than 20 international competition trophies and is widely recognized for producing emotionally powerful, technically advanced championship displays. 

As the reigning 2025 Traverse City International Fireworks Championship champions, Nakaja Art returns to defend its crown and once again represent Team Poland on the international stage. 

Competitive Highlights 

• 2025 Traverse City International Fireworks Championship – 1st Place 
• 2025 Féeries Euréliennes (France) – Jury & Audience 1st Place 
• 2024 Blackpool World Fireworks Championships (UK) – 1st Place 
• 2024 Pyronale World Championship (Germany) – Jury & Audience 1st Place 
• Over 20 international competition trophies earned worldwide 
• Winners of major national fireworks competitions across Poland from 1999–2018 
• Specialists in large-scale multimedia pyromusical productions 
• International productions across Europe, North America, Mexico, and Australia

What to Expect in Traverse City 

Expect a world championship-caliber performance filled with cinematic pacing, emotional storytelling, massive visual sequences, and breathtaking musical synchronization. Nakaja Art is known for blending elegance, intensity, and technical perfection into displays that captivate audiences from the opening cue to the final shell. As defending champions, Team Poland returns determined to once again deliver a performance worthy of the international crown. 

Team Representative 

Szabi Jakab 

About the Team 

Founded in 1998, Pyro-Technic International has grown into one of Romania’s leading professional fireworks companies, producing large-scale pyrotechnic displays throughout Romania and internationally for more than 25 years. The company has built its reputation on combining creativity, technical precision, and innovative firing technology to create unforgettable audience experiences.  

Pyro-Technic International specializes in large public celebrations, synchronized pyromusicals, multimedia productions, and major city events where fireworks, music, lighting, lasers, and choreography are combined into immersive visual performances. Their team emphasizes rhythm, timing, emotion, and artistic storytelling while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and safety.  

The company produces more than 250 pyrotechnic events annually and operates with a dedicated team of over 24 professional pyrotechnicians. Their productions range from theatrical and private events to some of the largest public celebrations in Romania and across Europe.  

Pyro-Technic International utilizes advanced wireless firing systems from Galaxis Showtechnik GmbH and Firetek alongside industry-leading pyrotechnic design software including Pyrotec Composer and Finale 3D to create highly synchronized world-class pyromusical displays.  

Over the years, the company has participated in numerous prestigious international fireworks competitions and productions throughout Europe and Asia, including events in China, Hungary, France, Malta, Lithuania, Germany, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom. Their displays have earned international recognition for combining strong musical choreography with visually powerful aerial designs and sweeping crowd-focused presentations.  

Led by Project Manager Szabi Jakab and the Pyro-Technic creative team, the company continues to push creative boundaries through innovative pyrotechnic design, synchronized multimedia integration, and large-scale festival productions. Pyro-Technic International is honored to represent Team Romania at the 2026 Traverse City International Fireworks Championship and looks forward to bringing its signature European pyrotechnic style to the international stage. 

Competitive Highlights 

• Founded in 1998 with more than 25 years of pyrotechnic experience 
• Produces more than 250 fireworks displays annually  
• Team of more than 24 professional pyrotechnicians  
• 1st Runner Up — Macao International Fireworks Competition, China (2016)  
• 1st Place — International Fireworks Competition, Kosice, Slovakia (2019)  
• Prix du Courchevel & Prix du Public — Festival International d’Art Pyrotechnique Courchevel, France (2022)  
• 1st Runner Up — Vilniaus Fejerija, Lithuania (2022)  
• Special Jury Award — Les Masters De Feu, France (2023)  
• 2nd Runner Up — Pyronale, Germany (2024)  
• Extensive experience with large-scale city celebrations, multimedia productions, and pyromusicals across Europe and Asia 

What to Expect in Traverse City 

Expect a performance driven by precision, synchronization, and emotional visual storytelling. Pyro-Technic International is known for creating immersive productions that combine sweeping aerial choreography, powerful musical pacing, vibrant color design, and cutting-edge firing technology. Their signature style balances technical precision with artistic creativity — building momentum throughout the performance before delivering explosive finales designed to captivate the Traverse City audience.

Team Representatives 

Mark Priest & James Drury 

About the Team 

Founded in 2006 by lifelong fireworks enthusiast Mark Priest, Firework Crazy began as a retail fireworks company before quickly evolving into one of the United Kingdom’s leading professional fireworks providers. In 2026, the company proudly celebrates 20 years of delivering world-class pyrotechnic experiences across the UK and internationally. 

Today, Firework Crazy produces approximately 200 displays annually, ranging from elegant wedding celebrations and large public events to fully choreographed pyromusicals for high-profile corporate clients, celebrities, and government organizations. The company has also produced displays for BRIT Awards after-parties — one of the United Kingdom’s premier entertainment events. 

One of Firework Crazy’s largest annual undertakings occurs during the UK’s iconic Bonfire Night celebrations, where the team produces more than 60 displays over just a few days. 

Creatively led by award-winning designer James Drury, Firework Crazy has earned an international reputation for combining technical precision with emotionally driven musical storytelling and innovative choreography. The team’s productions are known for balancing pacing, color, emotion, and visual impact to create immersive audience experiences. 

As multiple-time winners of the prestigious UK Firework Champions competition, Firework Crazy continues to entertain and inspire tens of thousands of spectators each year. The company has also been selected to produce championship finale performances — a recognition reserved for top-tier competitors in the UK fireworks industry. 

In addition to his work within the fireworks community, Mark Priest currently serves on the Management Committee of the British Pyrotechnists Association (BPA), where he has contributed for more than six years. He has also participated in consultation and working groups with the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the Home Office, and other government agencies related to pyrotechnic safety and regulation. 

Firework Crazy is honored to represent Team United Kingdom at the 2026 Traverse City International Fireworks Championship and looks forward to bringing its signature style and passion for pyrotechnics to the international stage. 

Competitive Highlights 

• Celebrating 20 years in the fireworks industry in 2026 
• Produces approximately 200 displays annually 
• Multiple-time winners of UK Firework Champions 
• Selected to perform championship finale displays 
• Displays produced for BRIT Awards after-parties 
• Specialists in emotionally driven pyromusical storytelling 
• Extensive experience with large-scale public events and competitions 
• Leadership involvement within the British Pyrotechnists Association (BPA) 

What to Expect in Traverse City 

Expect a performance filled with emotion, precision, and cinematic storytelling. Firework Crazy is known for crafting displays that carefully balance musicality, choreography, color, and atmosphere to create deeply immersive audience experiences. Their signature style builds emotional momentum throughout the show before delivering explosive, crowd-captivating finales designed to leave lasting memories.

Team Representative 

Dan Haines 

About the Team 

Founded in 2022 by Dan Haines, Astro Magic FX was created as a platform for passionate pyrotechnic artists, designers, and technicians dedicated to producing world-class fireworks entertainment. Built on creativity, precision, and visual storytelling, the company specializes in crafting emotionally driven displays that blend technical excellence with unforgettable audience experiences. 

With more than 20 years of experience in the fireworks industry, Dan Haines has designed and produced displays for nearly every major fireworks convention in the United States. His work includes large-scale stadium spectaculars for audiences exceeding 50,000 attendees, nationally broadcast productions, and pyrotechnic effects featured in viral media viewed by millions around the world. 

Known for combining synchronization, pacing, emotion, and visual intensity, Astro Magic FX creates productions that push creative boundaries while maintaining exceptional technical execution. From public celebrations and cultural festivals to high-level competitive events, the team is committed to delivering displays that leave lasting impressions. 

Astro Magic FX is honored to represent Team USA at the 2026 Traverse City International Fireworks Championship and looks forward to sharing its passion for the art of pyrotechnics on the international stage. 

Competitive Highlights 

• Over 20 years of industry experience 
• Designed displays for major U.S. fireworks conventions 
• Large-scale stadium productions for audiences of 50,000+ 
• Broadcast and viral media pyrotechnic productions 
• Specialists in emotionally driven pyromusical design 

What to Expect in Traverse City 

Expect a high-energy performance that blends cinematic pacing, powerful musical synchronization, and bold visual storytelling. Astro Magic FX is known for building emotional momentum throughout its productions before delivering explosive finales designed to leave audiences unforgettable memories.