meet the coaches
head coach: SHARON GILL AISTD, AIDTA, BCQ, ICU
Sharon attended the Edith Duncan School of Dance from the age of 2 ½ until the age of 16, winning 6 Scottish Titles and numerous other awards, scholarships and trophies along the way. Sharon was also the youngest child to play the main role of Clara in the Scottish ballet's production of the nutcracker aged only 7! Sharon went on to further her training at the London College of Dance (the Imperial Society of Dance’s College) and graduated in 1990 with teaching qualifications in all subjects and a Diploma in Teaching, opening her school upon her return to Aberdeen. Sharon is fully qualified in cheer Level 3 through the BCA. Sharon is also qualified in Pom, Cheer Jazz and High Kick with the International Cheer Union and has also recently qualified as a judge with the ICU in both dance and cheer and has judged many competitions around the UK.
As well as more dance based qualifications with the ISTD and IDTA and most recently became qualified (gaining) Distinction in IDTA in Acrobatic Dance as well as Acrobatic Arts, Sharon is a fully qualified first aider and chaperone.
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Over the course of the last 33 years, Sharon has taught hundreds of girls and boys and adults all subjects including ballet, tap, modern, jazz, cheerleading, pom, lyrical, stretch ‘n’ Tone and line dancing as well as choreographing numerous shows for drama groups including Singing in the Rain, A Chorus Line, Fame, We will Rock you, Daddy Cool, Wizard of Oz and the King and I, to name but a few, as well as countless pantomimes (and has been known to make the odd appearance herself!) and has also choreographed for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Sharon has also had the privilege of being invited to judge various competitions over the years.
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Sharon continues her passion, encouraging and nurturing children in all aspects of dance as well as choreographing hundreds of routines a year for all her solo, duet, trio and team competitive pupils. She can always be found prancing around her living room, note book in hand preparing classes and routines for her classes and pupils.
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Throughout the Covid-19 Crisis, Sharon and her coaches continued to teach through Zoom and outdoor classes ensuring her passion for her work continued and that of her health and well-being of her pupils was able to be maintained whilst out of the studio. Sharon received an award from a mental health charity for all her work with young people during the pandemic.
To quote:
"Its very special when you can combine a passion and a career" and that is just what Sharon does.
Sharon was DELIGHTED after lots of years searching for the right premises to finally open her own studio back in March 2022 allowing all her pupils to continue their hobby in a place they can call 'home'.
ASSISTANT COACHES:
MORGAN MCWILLIAM BCQ, ICU, BGU: dEPUTY HEAD COACH
Morgan didn't really have a choice to join the School, given that she is the Head Coach's daughter (!) however she is turning into a wonderful teacher and choreographer in her own right and trains many of our competitive teams in both cheer and dance. Morgan was promoted to Deputy Head Coach last year and really is instrumental in all aspects of admin and ensuring everyone knows exactly where they should be and when! Morgan can also be seen at all the classes and also choreographs for our Sharon Gill School of Dance Competitive Soloists/Duets and has already seen lots of her routines winning top titles, trophies and medals as well as qualifying for a national competition in London
Morgan is fully qualified in Cheer through the BCA (British Cheerleading Association and has recently added qualifications in Pom, Cheer, Hip hop and High Kick through the International Cheer Association and BGU (building from the ground up) to her ever-growing CV. Morgan also recently qualified as a judge with the ICU in dance and will complete her cheer judges qualification in December.
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Morgan represented Scotland in the ICU World Championships in April 2022, not only winning a GOLD in the Adaptive Pom section but COACHING the Youth Hip hop team to SILVER behind the USA!!! What an achievement! Not only this, but Morgan was nominated and WON 'Young Coach of the Year" from Aberdeen Sports Awards" 2023.
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NATALIE CLARK BGU:
Natalie is one of our Hip Hop Coaches and is qualified through the BGU. Natalie has been part of ACDC for many years and was a member of jazz, pom and cheer teams as well as hip hop. By day, Natalie is a fully qualified pharmacist and currently coaches our youth and senior hip hop competition teams as well as some of our recreational classes. Natalie cannot wait to continue to progress the hip hop teams in 2024 and see what this season brings both on and off the competition floor.
CHELSEY GARDEN BCQ:
Chelsey currently coaches our mini, youth and senior cheer teams and still competes with the Senior Jazz and pom teams. Chelsey is qualified to level 3 BCQ and as well as all that, day to day, Chelsey is a Primary School Teacher. Chelsey can't wait to see our teams on the Competition floor in 2024 having played a major coaching role, alongside the Head Coach in our senior team winning GRAND CHAMPIONS at the Scotcheer Championships in July 2023.
ERIN DRYSDER BCQ:
Erin is a coach for our mini and youth cheer teams and still competes herself for our senior cheer team. Erin has recently upgraded her qualifications to BCQ level 3. Erin has been with ACDC for many years and was also previously on our senior pom team. By day, Erin is an events manager. Erin says being part of such an amazing programme in ACDC is fantastic and is very excited about the Season ahead.
Chloe Garden BGU/ISTD/HNC/HND
Chloe has been a member of ACDC since she was tiny, taking classes in lots of subjects. Chloe has progressed to teaching with us, qualifying through the BGU and coaches with our youth jazz and pom teams and has ony just retired from competing after deciding to concentrate on coaching rather than performing. On top of those, Chloe also teaches our ACDC recreational Cheer Dance classes, our "Me and my Shadow" 18 months plus as well as our Adult Tap, and Musical Theatre Classes at our sister school Sharon Gill School of Dance. Chloe took 2 years away in Motherwell to gain her HNC and HND qualifications in Musical Theatre but we are delighted to have her as part of our teaching faculty. On top of that, Chloe is also qualified though the BGU in Pom and Jazz and the ISTD in tap.
Chloe still also takes part in advanced level classes at in Tap, Modern, and Jazz. When relaxing, she loves nothing better than chilling out with her fiancé Gregor, and her dog Parker.
AMY STEWART BGU:
Amy has been a pupil at the School for many years and is currently on our senior jazz, pom and hip-hop teams. She also continues to take classes at advanced level in tap, modern and jazz. Amy is a fully qualified hip hop coach through th BGU and continues to teach our Mini Maniacs recreational hip hop, as well as assisting in all our other classes on a Saturday. Amy is a pure ray of sunshine and craziness in our Studio and is known as 'Funny Amy' to all the kids and team mates. Once you see Amy teach once, you will know why! By day Amy works at Anderson, Anderson and Bain but is found in the Studio either dancing or coaching whenever possible. Amy has also recently started choroeographing some of our solos for competitions and is loving all the new challenges the school offers.
ERIN MORRISON:
Erin is an assistant coach for our hip hop teams and has been with ACDC for many years. Erin still competes with the senior hip hop team and by day is a fully qualified hairdresser. Erin is looking forward to gaining her full teaching qualifications and helping to take our students to the next level.
Samantha Ewen
Samantha trained at Stella Mann Dance College in Bedford, under a dance and drama award scholarship. Since graduating, she has performed throughout the UK and in Singapore. She has worked for ITV and summit entertainment. Upon hanging up her dancing shoes, she now works backstage in Theatre dressing and her expertise in Wigs, make up and costuming. She has also worked on West End Shows including Magic Mike, Tina and Dreamgirls. Sam assists our Head Coach with the Senior Pom and Senior Jazz teams as well as being a chaperone whenever we are away at events. Sam is BGU qualified in Pom.
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Sophie Duncan
Sophie started Cheer at the age of 6 as a bit of fun after school. She began helping Sharon with the younger classes on a Saturday and knew from there had a passion for coaching. Sophie is level 1 and 2 qualified as a Coach with BGU. Since qualifying, she helps coach our Tiny and Mini teams as well as hip hop gaining experience in coaching in this subject and is sitting her coaches qualification at the end of the year. Sophie has also taken a shine to running our Cheer Parties at our Studios. Sophie continues to compete with our senior Cheer and Hip Hop Teams.