ABOUT US

Southern Sensations Dance Studio has been instructing students for 25 years, originally opening in 1995. We offer regular and competition dance opportunities. The competition team attends a number of competitions throughout the Southeast, as well as perfroming at local events.

Our goal at Southern Sensations Dance Studio is to provide high quality instruction to students from ages 2 to adults in the discipline of dance through different dance styles and techniques. Instruction focuses on proper technique and terminology using a teaching methodology which instills self-discpline and grace, in addition to cultivating a positive self-esteem. All classes are taught by professionally trained individuals.

MEET OUR TEACHERS

Sarah Lash

Owner/ Director

Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary

Sarah started dancing at the age of 2, she continued to dance for 17 years and competed for 10 years. Sarah studied Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Pointe, and Hip Hop. Sarah graduated from Sparkman High School in 2007, where she was on the Dance Team all four years. During her time on the team, they won the National Hip Hop Championship three years in a row. In 2004, she performed half-time at the Nokia Sugar Bowl National Championship game in New Orleans. Growing up, Sarah competed at Dance Masters of America, Co. Dance, Dance Educators of America, Stars of Tomorrow, Jump, Nexstar, Applause, Platinum, and many more. This is Sarah’s 14th year of teaching at Southern Sensations Dance Studio. She was promoted to Co- Director in 2018, and now is the Owner and Director of the Studio. She is also the Director of the "Sensations" competition team. She teaches Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop classes and is the Competition Hip Hop Choreographer as well as a few lyrical and contemporary dances. She has traveled to New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Birmingham taking master classes from Professional Dancers and Choreographers. In 2008, she was a member of the Senior Jazz Routine, "Bossy", where they won the National Championship at Platinum National Dance Compeition. In 2012, Sarah’s Hip Hop Production “Get Crunk” won Nationals in Panama City, FL at the Platinum National Competition. In 2014, Sarah's Hip Hop Production, "Go Wow" was a National Finalist at Platinum National Championship. In 2018, Her Hip Hop Production, "Good Life" and her Junior Hip Hop, "Bank Robbers", were National Finalists at KAR National Dance Championship in Panama City, FL. Sarah Bryan also became KAR Miss Dance under Sarah's choreography. Sarah has won several choreography awards for her dances throughout her years at the studio, such as “Fashionista”, “Auto Shop”, “Skittles”, and "Ready for This". She has also been working with middle and high school dance teams in Madison City and Madison County for 14 years. Liberty Middle School won the National Hip Hop Championship in 2015 and 2016 and won the Pom National Championship in 2016, with her choreography as well. Sarah also won choreography awards for all three of those routines. Sarah now choreographs for Sparkman High School and Buckhorn High School. Sparkman High School has won the Regional and State Championship in their division, as well as placed top 10 in the nation the past two years under her choreography. Sarah won Choreography awards for Sparkman’s Pom Routine in 2016 and for their Hip Hop Routine in 2017. This past year, Sarah helped with Buckhorn's Dance Team in their first time to Nationals and became National Finalists in their Pom and Hip Hop routine. Sarah has also choreographed for the University of North Alabama’s Roar Dance Team. Sarah is very passionate about dance and enjoys sharing her love for dance with her students. She is very proud of all her dancers for their hard work and determination every year.

Sarah graduated in December 2012 from Calhoun Community College with her Associate Degree in Nursing with her RN. Sarah has since then, been a Labor and Delivery Nurse at Huntsville Hospital Women and Children’s and loves it. Sarah and her husband Andy, reside in Madison with their twins they have been so blessed with, Peyton Blake and Austin Daniel.

Shannon Clift

Founder

Jazz, Lyrical

Shannon has been a resident of Madison for most of her life. She attended Bob Jones High School where she was a cheerleader for four years, on the SGA , Homecoming Court , and competed with her dance studio. Shannon opened Southern Sensations in the fall of 1995 after returning home from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.

While in Auburn , Shannon took dance classes offered by the University as well as local studios. She was a faculty member of Nix Dance Studio for four years while earning her degree. In November 1995 Shannon passed her certification test and became a member of Dance Masters of America Chapter #33. Shannon continues her dance education by attending dance conventions and workshops all around the south. In 2008, her routine, "Bossy" won the National Championship in Panama City, FL at Platinum Dance Competition. Shannon has also won several choreography awards and First Place Overalls with her routines. Shannon continues to teach and share her love of dance with her students and fellow teachers. Shannon resides in Madison, with her husband, Davey, and their two daughters, Hayden and Carsen, who are also members of the Senior Competition Team.

Charla Weaver

Tap

Charla has been studying Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Gymnastics since age three. She was a member of her studio's competition team and also performed locally. She graduated from Bob Jones in 1992 where she was on the cheerleading squad for all four years, and captain her senior year. She then attended Auburn University and was a member of the award winning Tiger-Paws dance team. Charla also took classes and taught dance at Nix Dance Studio while she attended Auburn. She graduated with a B.A. in Secondary Mathematics Education in 1996 and with a Master in Mathematics Education in 1997.

During her summers, Charla worked as an instructor for Universal Cheerleading Association for summer camps. In November of 1998, she passed her certification test and became a member for Dance Masters of America Chapter #33. Charla taught Mathematics at Bob Jones High School where she was the junior varsity cheerleading coach. Then she moved to Sparkman High School in 1999 and coached the Southern Pride All Star Cheerleaders at Alabama Cheerleading Center. Charla coached the Sparkman Dance team who placed 1st in the nation in Hip-Hop for 2 consecutive years, and 4th in Jazz. She is also a choreographer for the Sensations Competition Team. In 2014, Charla's Junior Tap Routine, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" won the National Championship at Platinum National Dance Competition in Panama City, FL. She has also won countless choreography awards for all of her Competition Tap routines thru the years. Charla resides in Madison with her husband, Scott, and her two Daughters, Ella and Macy, who are also members of our Teen and Senior Competition Team.

Sara Rogers

Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet

Sara has been studying dance since she was 8 years old. She began studying under the instruction of Shannon and Charla in 1998 and began competing with "The Sensations" Competition team in 1999. During that time, she was directed in duos, trios, small groups and large groups to compete at various regional and national competitions across the Southeast. She graduated from Sparkman High School in 2007. While attending Sparkman, she was a member of the Varsity Dance team for four years. During her time on dance team, the team achieved first place in hip hop for three consecutive years at the National Level in Orlando, FL. In addition to placing within the top 10 in the pom category. She taught dance for three years here at SSDS before she graduated, and also instructed at MJ's Academy of Dance in Tuscaloosa while attending the University of Alabama. Sara was presented the 2007 Southern Sensations Dancer of the Year award her senior year.

Now, she is our competitive lyrical/contemporary teacher. She has received five choreography awards the past six years here at SSDS for the routines "Beam Me Up", "Work Song", "Never Grow Up", "Anchor", "Slow Down", and "Burning". She is so incredibly proud of every dancer she has had the privilege of teaching the past four years for the numerous awards they have won for her and the studio. Sara loves working with the kids and is extremely grateful for the opportunity to share her education of dance as a Southern Sensations Alumni. Sara and her husband Cody have three beautiful daughters, Neely, Stella, and Vivi, who we can't wait to see on our Southern Sensations Stage.

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Libbi Milam

Pointe

Libbi Milam is a sixth grade teacher at Academy of Academics and Arts in Huntsville, AL. This is her seventh year teaching. She has danced for over twenty years in the areas of ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop. Libbi competed with her studio for over 10 years at several competitions over the Southeast. She was a member of the Bob Jones Patriettes, where she graduated in 2006. She was then on the Dance Team at the University of South Alabama her freshman year of college. Prior to teaching at AAA, Libbi worked as a professional Ballroom Dancer and Teacher at National Dance Clubs in Nashville, TN. This year, she is our Mini Competition Team teacher in Jazz and Tap. We are so excited to have her as a part of our team. Her love and passion for dance will continue for a lifetime.

Kerry Higley

Ballet, Stage Arts, Pointe

Kerry started dancing at the age of 5. She began instruction at Southern Sensations in 1998, and received the Most Improved Dancer award that year. In 1999, she joined The Sensations Competition Team. Kerry attended Bob Jones High School where she was a member of the Bob Jones Patriettes Dance Team for all four years. Throughout high school, she also attended private ballet classes with Russian Ballerina, Mira Popovich at Birmingham-Southern College. In 2006, Kerry was awarded the Southern Sensations Dancer of the Year.

Kerry graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business in 2010. While attending Auburn, she took classes and taught dance at Nix Dance Studio. She is currently the owner of GenConnect Recruiting, Coaching, & Consulting, where she provides businesses with top talent. Kerry was excited to return to Southern Sensations and share her love of dance with all of the dancers.

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Melissa Hawk

Preschool, Tiny Tots

Melissa Hawk has been dancing since the age of 2. She danced for 15 years and competed for 10 years where she was a member of the Sensations Competition Dance Team. Melissa was a dancer in the Jazz routine “Bossy”, where they won the National Championship in 2008, and in “Get Crunk” that won the National Championship in 2012 at Platinum Dance Competition. Melissa graduated from Sparkman High School in 2012 where she was a member of SGA and on the Homecoming Court 3 years in a row. Melissa was a member of the Varsity Dance Team where they won the National Hip Hop Championship in Los Angeles, CA in 2009. In 2004, Melissa performed half-time at the Nokia Sugar Bowl at the National Championship where LSU beat Oklahoma. After graduation, Melissa went to the University of North Alabama where she was a member of the Lionette Dance Team. She graduated from Virginia College this year with her degree in Medical Coding. This is her 7th year teaching with the studio. She has taught Preschool, Tap, Jazz, and Hip Hop. She is currently teaching the Tiny Tots and Preschool classes. She loves being back at the studio and teaching the girls her love for dance.

Jessica Darby

Tumbling, Acrobatics

Jessica Darby trained as a competitive gymnast most of her childhood, competing for 9 years. A career ending injury kept her from finishing her level 9 season but that is when she made the switch to competitive cheerleading. She cheered competitively for 3 years and realized she had a love for coaching tumbling. She has been coaching tumbling since 2008 from beginners to advanced dancers, gymnasts, and cheerleaders. Jessica also trained in Ballet from Nix Studio of Dance for 8 years. From 2009- 2015, She taught children ages 4-18 advanced tumbling and stunting skills and coached competition at Premier Spirit Academy in Auburn. Jessica has choreographed National Championship routines and trained other coaches in proper technique. Jessica prides herself in her eye for technique and passion for the art of tumbling. She is dedicated to her classroom that is stimulating, encouraging, and supportive. Jessica graduated from Auburn University, Cum Laude, in 2015 with a Double Major in Exercise Science and Nutrition Wellness. We are excited to welcome her to our dance family!

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Heather Curtis

Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop

Heather Curtis started dancing at the age of 4 years old. She danced for 15 years, and competed for 11 years. Heather was a part of the "Sensations" Competition team for those 11 years. She received the "Dancer of the Year" Award in 2018. She was a dancer in the Hip Hop Production, "Get Crunk", which won Nationals in 2012 at the Platinum National Dance Competition in Panama City, Florida. In 2018, she was a part of the Hip Hop Production, "Good Life", which was a National Finalist at KAR National Dance Competition. Heather graduated from Sparkman High School in 2018, where she was a member of the Sparkman Varsity Dance Team. While on the team, they were National Finalists and placed Top 10 in the National her Junior and Senior Year with her as Captain. She was also a member of SGA and the National Honor Society. She now attends the University of Alabama in Huntsville and majoring in Nursing. She was also a member of the UAH Chargerettes Dance Team her Freshman year. This is Heather's second year teaching with us, and we love having her back with us as an alumni.

Taylor Juergens

Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Lyrical, Preschool

Taylor started studying dance at the age of 3. She was in studio dance for 16 years and competed for 11 years. Taylor trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop. She was a member of the Sparkman Varsity dance team, where she graduated in 2012. In 2009, the team won 1st place at Nationals with their Hip Hop Routine in Los Angeles, CA her freshman year. Taylor also became a member of the Sensations competition team in 2009. She was a member of the Hip Hop Production, "Get Crunk" who won the National title at Platinum National Dance Competition in Panama City Beach, FL in 2012. Taylor is currently working in the Huntsville Hospital ER while pursuing her nursing degree.

This is her first year as a teacher for Southern Sensations. She is very excited to be back at her home studio teaching with some of the best dancers and fellow instructors. Taylor is looking forward to learning, growing and taking on the new role as a dance teacher!

Brooklyn Wherry

Jazz, Hip Hop, Adult Hip Hop

Brooklyn Wherry started dancing at the age of 2 ½ years old and has danced in the areas of ballet, tap, jazz, modern, pointe, and hip hop. She danced for 16 years and competed for 10 years. Brooklyn started dancing at North Alabama Dance Studio and later joined the Southern Sensations Dance Studio competition team in 2008. Brooklyn has competed at Dance Masters of America, Masquerade, and Platinum competitions. Brooklyn is a 2012 graduate of Sparkman High School, while there she danced on the Sparkman dance team for four years. Brooklyn was also a member of the Hip Hop Production, "Get Crunk", where they won the 2012 National Championship at Platinum Dance Competition. At Masquerade Regional Competition in 2012, Brooklyn was awarded the Stephen Boyd Award at competition for her passion and karisma on stage.

Brooklyn graduated from the University of North Alabama in December 2016 with a Bachelors in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resource Management. Upon graduating, Brooklyn returned to Huntsville, where she currently resides as a Contract Specialist for the United States Army Corp of Engineers.

This is Brooklyn’s first year of teaching at Southern Sensations Dance Studio. Brooklyn has a love for dance and is excited to return to the studio to teach and train students on becoming the best dancers.

Alivia Davidson

Tiny Tots, Preschool, Stage Arts

Alivia started dance at the age of 5 in Fairbanks, Alaska. While there, she studied ballet, tap, and jazz. When Alivia was 11 years old, she moved to Huntsville where she continued her dance training, while competing with her studio. Alivia has been trained in ballet, tap, contemporary, hip hop, and jazz. Alivia graduated from Sparkman High School in 2019 where she was on the Sparkman Varsity Dance Team for 2 years and placed Top 10 in the Nation with their Pom and Hip Hop Routine. Alivia has been student teaching at her studio for the past two years. We are excited to welcome her to our dance studio family this year as our new Preschool and Stage Arts Teacher!

Jessica Walker

Pointe

Jessica is an area native and has 18 years’ dance experience. She danced and competed for 16 years in the area, with 4 of those years at Southern Sensations. Jessica was on the national champion Sparkman High School varsity dance team for 4 years, where they won the National Hip Hop Championship her Junior and Senior Year. She was also a member of the UAB Golden Girls for 2 years. She has state, regional and national awards for solo, small and large group dances. Jessica began pointe around the age of 10 and was a corps member of ballet productions at NADC. Ballet has always been a favorite genre and she is excited to share her love of dance with Southern Sensations. Jessica is married to Jonathan, and they have three children, Charlee, Caroline and Carson. They recently moved to Athens after living in Katy, Texas for the last 8 years, and they are happy to be home!

Caroline Reed

Yoga, Fitness

The journey of dance began at age 3 for Caroline Morris Reed with Kim’s School of Dance in Decatur, AL. She was trained in the techniques of ballet, tap, jazz, and acrobatics focusing competitively on jazz-acro for 12 years. Because her high school didn’t have a dance team (and Decatur was 20 miles from home), Ms. Caroline became a cheerleader at age 15 while continuing to focus on tumbling, strength, and flexibility. As an adult, Ms. Caroline coached the award-winning Monrovia Middle School dance team from 2008-2013. She’s currently continues her passion of fitness by practicing yoga and strength-training.

Professionally, Ms. Reed earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business/Marketing Education from UNA. She has been teaching for 13 years and currently leads the engineering department at New Century Technology High School – teaching 3 different engineering courses. Caroline is passionate about serving the community and making connections for her students by creating partnerships with local industries to benefit her ambitious STEM students.

Ms. Reed has also been actively involved with the Distinguished Young Women Scholarship program for over a decade. She earned a full tuition scholarship from Lawrence County’s Junior Miss in 2002, and now she serves as the Assistant Director for the Madison County program.
Caroline enjoys traveling and adventure. Ms. Reed currently lives in Madison, and she is thrilled to expand her involvement at Southern Sensations Dance Studio alongside so many empowered women!

STUDENT TEACHERS

Hayden Clift

Hayden has been dancing since the age of 2, and competing since 3. She is a Senior member of the "Sensations" Competition Team. She is a junior at James Clemens High School and is a member of the Blue Angels Dance Team. She will be assisting in Ballet II.
Carsen Clift

Carsen has been dancing since the age of 2, and competing since 3. She is a Senior member of the "Sensations" Competition Team. She is a Senior at James Clemens and is a member of the Blue Angels Dance Team. She will be assisting in the Thursday Stage Arts.

Kaitlyn Taylor

Kaitlyn has been dancing since the age of 2. She is a Senior member of the "Sensations" Competition Team. She is a sophomore at James Clemens High School and is a member of the James Clemens Blue Angels Dance Team. She will be assisting in the Tuesday Preschool class.
Sarah Neis

Sarah has been dancing since the age of 3. She is a Senior on the "Sensations" Competition Team. She is a Senior at Sparkman High School and is a member of the Varsity Dance Team. Sarah will be assisting in the Monday Preschool class and with the Junior Competition Team.