Suzy Connolly Shaw

Suzy Shaw began her journey in the dance world in 1990. Initially a level 10 gymnast, Suzy was training for the 1992 Summer Olympic games when she began her dance training with Cindy Flach in Columbia, SC. While attending school in Columbia, SC, Suzy gained an incredible foundation in multiple genres of dance under the direction of Kris Galemo, Anne Richardson, Mary Claire Miranda, Debbie Roberts, and Susan E. Anderson. Once in high school, she was chosen to join the nationally ranked jazz company at The Southern Strutt where she trained and competed under the direction of Nancy Giles. During these years Suzy quickly became a decorated and recognized dancer as she was awarded multiple scholarships as well as national awards. During this time, Suzy traveled across the country and trained with legends in the dance industry, including Ray Leeper and lyrical dance master, Doug Cauldwell. She credits this time for planting the spark that has become the legacy that she is leaving on the dance world. Even this early, Suzy knew that her gift was in teaching and absolutely paralleled her dancing and gymnastic background. By 1995, she received her first recognition as a choreographer, winning a district wide choreography competition. While in high school, Suzy was also a member of the Carolina Cheerleading Academy where she cheered for ALL STARS for three years, while also cheering and coaching tumbling on her varsity team at Dreher High School. After high school, Suzy traveled to NYC where she trained at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway and learned from dance legends such as Sheila Barker and Mia Michaels. As her time in NYC concluded, she began studying dance at Lander University under the direction of Joey Giles. Suzy was awarded the Carol Nuebner Scholarship as well as the Fine Arts Scholarship in Dance. Her passion as a teacher became more evident while participating in the Lander Dance Company outreach program where was able to teach dance at several area schools. In 1999, Suzy studied dance and theater internationally at Plymouth University in Exmouth, England where she gained a plethora of knowledge that she still utilizes in teaching today. After finishing college, Suzy was the Senateer's dance team coach at Lander University for two years while she taught dance alongside Lottie Jean Guilford. Suzy's love for teaching, and calling to this profession, has always been abundantly clear. In 2002, she launched Emerald City Dance Explosion, laying the foundation for what is now her nationally ranked, pre-professional, company level training program. Now entering her 24th year as a business owner and company director, she is decorated with more choreography awards, dance industry recognitions, and top-level awards than she could even begin to count. Under Suzy's direction, a countless number of professional performers, collegiate level dancers, national title holders, and a trail of professional dancers are thriving in the dance industry. In addition to the successful dancers, there are equally incredible women and men thriving in their careers, all giving back something they received at their home studio of Emerald City Dance Explosion. Above all, watching her students become their very best and most confident selves is the actual purpose of her program. Suzy is delighted at the journey she is on, the road she has traveled, the connections she has made, the footprints she has left, and beyond everything else, the love for dance that she is sharing with her students, her husband, and their three beautiful children.