The DanceXpressions staff is a very important part of the DanceXpressions family. It is through them that you and your child(ren) experience a positive and caring environment, while receiving the highest quality dance education. Because of this, our instructors not only have the knowledge, training, and talent to instruct you and/or your dancer, our DanceXpressions instructors have the heart for teaching.
All DanceXpressions instructors continually train throughout the year on current dance trends, dance technique, dancing instruction, teaching methods, learning styles, and special needs concerns. We believe in improving ourselves in order to improve our dancers. Please take a look at our biographies and get too know us a bit better.
Sharon M. Cooksey, Studio Owner/Director
When often asked why she did not open her own dance studio, Sharon used to reply, “Because it is not something I am meant to do.” She is very glad that God opened her heart, her eyes, and presented opportunities for the DanceXpressions vision to develop and take root.
Most people in the Locust Grove area, know Sharon from leadership roles throughout the community, as “the tap teacher”, or as Jackie’s mom (her most cherished title!). What they may not know is that Sharon has over 30 years’ experience in dance instruction, dance choreography, and business management.
Sharon began her training as a competitive jazz, lyrical, and tap dancer under the Milford School of Dance in Massachusetts. At age 14, she also began training in ballet and pointe at Medway School of Dance under Geri Milgroom, formerly of the Boston Ballet. Throughout her teenage years, Sharon trained and competed in all genres of dance, including ballet and pointe, earning national Dance America Championship titles 3 years in a row. She also began teaching jazz, tap, and ballet at the Medway School of Dance. Her love of teaching children and inspiring them with a love of performing arts had begun….
Throughout college, Sharon continued her dance career, training under tap greats such as the Coles Brothers, Savion Glover, Maurice Hines, and Gregory Hines. Then, she moved into ballroom dance, as a professional dancer with Arthur Murray Dance studios. Sharon credits her 15 years with Arthur Murray as having taught her the most valuable skills in teaching and correcting dancers properly so as to expedite the learning process while minimizing injury. Throughout her career with Arthur Murray, Sharon earned recognitions such as Arthur Murray World Top Teacher, Arthur Murray World Top Specialist, and Arthur Murray Country Western Dance-O-Rama Dance Champion. She managed a successful dance studio in Ventura, CA, and ultimately traveled the U.S. as a Dance/Management Consultant throughout the Arthur Murray community.
Sharon left dance for a short time until her beautiful daughter, Jackie, became old enough to dance. Then, Sharon was graciously given opportunities to go back to her roots, teaching ballet, jazz, tap, and lyrical/contemporary dance both at local dance studios and independently. Throughout the years, she has enjoyed seeing children and adults grow, develop, and increase in their love and appreciation for the performing arts.
In 2015, DanceXpressions was born, but it was a small dream, not yet ready to take root.
Over the next year, the success, awards, and recognitions DanceXpressions students and the studio received, both at competition and personally, helped pave the way for the DanceXpressions roots to dig down into the soil. In 2016, Sharon was very excited to open the DanceXpressions dance studio doors to all who desire a unique, quality dancing instruction experience- in Locust Grove and the surrounding areas!!! Thank you, Lord, for cutting down the trees in the forest so that your dream became a reality. May DanceXpressions continue to be your instrument to encourage the success and positive personal growth of others.
Rebecca Scruggs, Instructor
Ballet, Pre-Pointe, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Techniqu
Jackie Cooksey, Instructor
Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Stretch and Conditioning, Technique
Kathleen Pace, Instructor
Acrobatics, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Stretch and Conditioning, Technique
Ellen Daniels, Instructor
Lyrical/Contemporary, Pre-School, Technique, Stretch and Conditioning, Tap
Sheridan Field, Instructor
Acrobatics, Ballet, Pre-School, Lyrical/Contemporary, Technique, Stretch and Conditioning