Sharon Higgins BEM
Sharon started dance at the age of 4 alongside her sister Michelle. At this young age Sharon studied tap and ballet and performed in numerous shows. At 18 Sharon attended a professional dance college in Manchester to further her training taking RAD and ISTD examinations in ballet, tap and modern.
After finishing her full-time training Sharon then became a professional dancer performing with top dance companies in Spain and then later joining her sister Michelle’s own dance troupe touring Italy, Germany and Switzerland. Sharon was also a member of her brother in laws band and performed as a singer working in many of the top clubs in Europe.
Eventually Sharon decided to return to her home town and open her own school. The School originally opened in Somerton community Centre, Newport offering students tap and jazz classes. Within weeks the class sizes more than doubled and the school has gone from strength to strength now offering many more genre/classes.
As an ex-professional dancer and singer Sharon knows the importance of a good training, that is why when the new Government recognised qualifications were introduced for dance teaching in both the private sector and then later for teaching in the Life Long learning sector she decided that it was important for her and her students to keep up-to-date with her own training. Sharon now holds the government recognised dance teaching qualifications Diploma in Dance Teaching (DDT) both in ballet and tap and the Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector in Dance (DTLLS) this is the new Government recognised qualification for teaching in FE Colleges and Vocational Dance Schools. Both courses cover many areas in teaching dance including health and safety, child development, dance history, safe teaching practise, safe guarding and management to name a few.
Sharon has continued to progress her career by training to become an examiner for the Bbo dance. Sharon's work within the performing arts has been recognised by the Queen who has awarded Sharon a British Empire Medal
In the Academy students study the BBO Syllabi in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz and Musical Theatre taking regular examinations in all genre. There is also a musical theatre group. The Students perform in shows on a regular basis, which helps to build up their stage awareness and presentation. Talented students can also audition to become a Ballet or Jazz Scholar with the BBO. There are also many workshops held at the studio where the students will work with professionals from the musical theatre industry. Also as BBO students they can attend regular workshops on regional days held in the area or days of dance at Elmhurst, Birmingham. Many of Sharon’s students have gone on to full time professional training and work in the Industry
Sharon was very fortunate to have the support and backing of her mum throughout her career and now that she is no longer with us and is missed greatly Sharon is very fortunate to have the support of her husband, family and a very loyal team of parents, teachers and assistants behind her.