Cheer and Dance Background
The founding principal of the Academy, Sharon Gray (formerly known as Sharon Fowler), has an extensive dance career which began at 3 years old and includes many titles and high grade medals with the I.D.T.A in ballet, tap and acrobatics. Sharon was also a member of a Freestyle dance team that competed at both national and international competitions. Sharon gained a great deal of experience as a student, which she now uses for the guidance and coaching of her own students.
During 1997, Sharon left her full time job to establish the Academy which has grown from 12 members to hundreds of students over the years. The academy now has a large number of students who have been attending weekly classes for 10-15 years; a testament to the Academy in itself.
Sharon has completed her teaching qualifications with the I.D.T.A to Licentiate and is also USASF credentialed for cheerleading and gymnastics.
Sharon now runs the Academy alongside her daughters, Rebecca and Lauren who came into partnership after graduating university. Rebecca and Lauren have been performing and competing with the Academy since it opened in 1997. Rebecca is now the director of the dance syllabus, whereas Lauren has taken over the role of director of the cheerleading academy. They have both gained their USASF credentials up to Level 5 for cheerleading and tumbling. Rebecca has also passed her teaching qualifications with the I.D.T.A. to Associate level. Rebecca graduated from University College Birmingham with an upper second class degree in Early Childhood Studies and Lauren graduated from De Montfort University with First Class Honours in Psychology with Education Studies.
School’s Success Story
The Academy has provided the opportunity for performances at prestigious venues such as THE LONDON PALLADIUM, HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE, SADDLERS WELLS, DISNEY LAND PARIS, THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL and INTERNATIONAL CRUISE SHIPS. The Academy have also represented England on three occasions; at a Dance Festival and competition in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA and at THE DANCE WORLDS in Orlando, Florida in April 2013 and 2014.
The Academy also have 8 successful Cheerleading squads and 4 dance teams that compete at regional and national competitions. These competition squads also boast 11 National Champion and 1 Grand National Champion titles.
The school also trains for a yearly dance production at venues such as the OAKENGATES THEATRE, TELFORD INTERNATIONAL CENTRE, WOLVERHAMPTON CIVIC HALL and DORMSTON THEATRE where all students are invited to take part.
Exams are also an important feature of our work, which are offered to the students yearly with the I.D.T.A. We have always had a 100% pass rate, but the main thing is that everyone enjoys themselves.
During July 2009, the Cheer Academy was chosen for a TV series ‘Brighton Beach’, and we were filmed during our International competition in Brighton.
The school performed at the Dance Show Live (Clothes Show) during December 2010 and have been invited back to perform due to their popularity.
We welcome all ages and abilities to the Academy for the opportunity of being involved with the events mentioned above or simply to join recreational classes for fun and exercise.