Sharon Taylor
Director
A Teacher with over 25 years experience of teaching beginners to world champions.
I was introduced to Irish dance at the tender age of 2 by my mother Jean who taught me throughout my very successful competitive career. I decided to make Irish dance my full time career after passing my teachers exam in 1996. I went on to become an adjudicator in 2004 and have had the privilege of judging competitions around the world.
At the Sharon Taylor Academy we pride ourselves in teaching children from the age of 2 in a fun and safe environment, helping every child reach their full potential.
Jean Taylor-Pembroke
Principal Teacher
The Lady who started it all.
Mother of Sharon, Jean, has judged all over the World and had an extremely successful career with her own school.
After 17 years of living in Ireland, Jean has now moved back home to Scotland where she pops in and out of the class to see the dancers.
Shannon Doherty
TCRG
Shannon started dancing at age 6, having a large Irish Family – everyone danced! At age 8 Shannon started dancing for Sharon Taylor and through her highly successful competitive solo career she placed Top 3 at the Great Britain’s and All Scotland’s, Top 5 at the All Ireland’s and British Nationals, won multiple Scottish Oireachtas Titles, and was a World Medal Holder.
From a very young age Shannon knew she wanted to become a dancing teacher, saying that Sharon’s desire to teach and pass on her expertise was inspiring. In 2018 Shannon graduated with her TCRG at the World Championships in her hometown – Glasgow. Shannon is now a member of the teaching staff at the Sharon Taylor Academy and is also a world renowned make-up artist, with competitive Irish Dancers from all over the Globe booking in to get their hair and makeup done with her for major competitions.
Mandy Stevenson
Assistant Teacher
Mandy started dancing at the age of 7 and has never looked back. After winning many championships during her younger years she competed at her first World Championships in her home town of Glasgow in 2002, placing 15th and taking home her first World Medal. Mandy finished competing after the World Championships in Boston, 2013, retiring from a highly successful competitive career and began teaching from then.
Since then Mandy traveled the World, helping The Gaelic Girls Irish Dance Troupe secure a win in the 2016 Malaysia Dance Festival, and gaining the award for the best female dancer of the entire competition.
Teaching is a huge passion for Mandy and loves that it gives kids more than just dancing skills, but also about hard work, dedication, and confidence. Mandy is now working towards Grade 12 and sitting her TCRG exam in the very near future. Her legacy continues in the class with her daughter Banba now competing for the Sharon Taylor Irish Dance Academy.