Sharon Teo—UDA Instructor
Sharon Teo-Gooding is Associate Professor in Film & New Media Production at Johnny Carson School
of Theatre and Film at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). She received a Master of Fine Arts in
Film from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Science in Radio-Television-Film from the University of
Texas at Austin. In addition to teaching, Sharon has won numerous awards for film, television & DVD
production, including a regional Emmy for outstanding achievement in editing in 2001. Released in
2005, Sharon’s feature-length film, “Almost Normal” was selected for distribution in North America,
France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Mexico, Australia & New Zealand; and television broadcast by MTV
networks (US) and Sky TV (Italy). Sharon’s career in filmmaking was fueled by her passion for dance;
she felt she needed to study filmmaking in order to choreograph for film and television. She started
ballet lessons under the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) system at the age of six and completed the
children’s graded syllabus, and the major’s syllabus to the Intermediate Executant Level. She taught the
RAD syllabus from 1989-1992 at various dance schools, public schools and junior colleges in Singapore.
She also choreographed for arts festivals and television in Singapore, including “Fairyland” in 1990
(assistant choreographer and instructor) involving one thousand youth ballet dancers from five schools.
Sharon has performed in numerous venues including the Singapore Arts Festival; Miss Singapore/Miss
Universe pageant finals; and Asian Dance Festival. From 1996-1997 she taught “Video Techniques in
Dance” at Ohio University’s School of Dance. Since 2003, she has edited 27 choreographic DVD titles for
Music Theatre International (MTI) in New York and Disney Theatrical Productions. At UDA, she enjoys
working with students in technique classes as well as private coaching sessions. During the 2008-2009
season, Sharon was honored to coach dancers who were awarded top scores, as well as category and
showmanship awards at competitions. Sharon is delighted to be working with the talented and dedicated
dancers at UDA. She is looking forward to her tenth year helping students achieve their dreams.

Stephanie Murray—UDA Instructor
Stephanie Murray is no stranger to the stage, she has been dancing since the age of three, competing since the age of five and loves to perform. Stephanie’s vast experiences have contributed to her excellence in teaching all forms of dance. Stephanie has participated in UDA’s annual dance recital since it opened in 1995 and played many leading roles. Among them Tinkerbell in “The Adventures of Peter Pan,” Simba in “Lion King,” Ursula in “Ariel’s Adventure” and in 2007 concluding her senior year she was Cinderella in “Cinderella’s Ball.” Stephanie was a member of UDA’s Repertory team for eleven years as well as competed extensively with solos/duos/trios and groups with UDA’s Competitive Company winning many top awards and high honors for her talents. She was accepted to participate at South Carolina’s Summer Dance Conservatory and also performed in the Lincoln Ballet Midwest’s production of the “Nutcracker” for two years. In 2005, she was titled Teen Miss Sophisticated Dancer and in 2007 she won Overall Premier Solo winner. Stephanie has enjoyed traveling with UDA to many regional and national conventions and competitions as well as being a performer in the 2003 Federal Express Orange Bowl half-time show and a dancer in the 2010 opening and closing ceremonies for the Special Olympics. As a four year member and Captain of the North Star dance team, Stephanie was a two-time “Top All-American” and winner of the “Excellence in Leadership” at the National Dance Alliance (NDA) summer camps. Stephanie was part of the NDA teaching staff and traveled across the US teaching high school dance teams. Stephanie has received many excellence in choreography awards. Most outstanding of which is the elite award at the Spotlight Events Competition, where she co-choreographed a lyrical line titled “This Storm” which received the Federation of Dance Competitions national nomination. Along with her achievements, during the 2010 competitive season Stephanie choreographed many dances including a senior lyrical solo that earned her an “Excellence in Choreography” award from the Spotlight Dance Cup. In the 2011 competitive season Stephanie was honored that her choreographic piece “Mad World” received the highest honor of 1st place overall at the Spotlight Dance Cup for senior small groups. In 2009 Stephanie auditioned for the television reality show “So You Think You Can Dance” in Denver, CO and is anxiously awaiting tryouts for next season. Stephanie is currently attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying Business Administration with a focus on accounting, management and
economics. Stephanie loves the spirit and atmosphere at UDA and is dedicated to share her love for dance with others.

Chelsea Shafer —UDA Instructor
Chelsea Shafer has been dancing since the age of two. She has been a part of Universal Dance Academy since its opening season in 1995. She trained extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, pointe, and hiphop. Chelsea was a member of UDA’s Repertory Team for ten years and has also competed with the Universal Competitive Company in many award winning solos, trios, and groups. She was accepted to participate at South Carolina’s Summer Dance Conservatory, she received a Pacific Coast Dance Fest Scholarship, and was selected to be on the Top Starz Performance Team. Chelsea traveled with the UDA teams that performed in the 1998-1999 Orange Bowl half-time show, the 2000 Sugar Bowl halftime show, and the 2003-2004 Orange Bowl half-time show. She is honored to have had many leading roles in UDA’s annual recitals. Among them; Shenzi in “Lion King,” Flounder in “Ariel’s Adventure,” one of the step sisters in “Cinderella’s Ball,” and Princess Winifred in “Princess and the Pea.” While attending Southeast High School she was on the honor roll for four years and on National Honor Society her senior year. As a three year member and captain of the Southeast Dance Team, Chelsea was a part of the 2005-2006 National Championship team and a “Top All-American” at the National Dance Alliance summer dance camp. Chelsea was honored to be a part of the 2010 Special Olympics as a dancer in the opening and closing ceremonies celebration. She is currently pursuing a degree in Nursing at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Chelsea is very excited to work with and share her love of dance with UDA’s incredible students.

Sarah Vaggalis —UDA Instructor
Sarah Vaggalis has had a passion for dance since the age of three. At Universal Dance Academy, she has studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, pointe, and hip-hop. She has enjoyed many leading roles in UDA’s annual recitals including Flotsom in “Ariel’s Adventure,” one of the stepsisters in “Cinderella’s Ball,” the Jester in “Princess and the Pea,” and Princess Odette in “The Swan Princess.” She has been a member of UDA’s Repertory team and Competitive team where she has won many awards and recognitions in solos, trios, small groups, and large groups. She has received scholarships to New York City, Los Angeles, London, and St. Louis. She has received many first overall and top awards for her solos. She was awarded the Senior Miss Spotlight at the 2008 Spotlight Dance Cup,” Miss Dance 2009 at the Fire and Ice competition, two year All American at the National Dance Alliance, and a member of Adrenaline’s Dance Crew 2009. She was named a member of the Star Team for Talent on Parade, a member of the Prime Time All Star Team, and invited to be a part of the “Spotlight Dance Cup” Elite Performance Team. In 2008, Sarah was awarded the Nebraska Young Artist Award. She has attended the Lincoln Midwest Ballet summer intensive workshop, MUSE intensive dance workshop, Dupree Dance workshop, and Adrenaline’s dance convention. Sarah graduated with honors from Pius X High School, where she was captain of the drill team, a member of NHS, and senior class president. She has choreographed for Pius’ show choir and musicals including “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “The Secret Garden,” and “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.” She will be a Junior at the University of Nebraska majoring in Secondary English with a Dance minor. She has danced in performances with the UNL Dance Program including Student Dance Projects and their faculty showings “Evenings of Dance.” Sarah is excited for another year of dancing for Nebraska as captain of the Scarlet’s Dance team at UNL. She loves the Universal Dance Academy family and can’t wait to experience another year sharing her passion and joy with UDA’s fabulous students.

Erin Murray —UDA Instructor/Office Manager
Erin has been a part of UDA since it opened in 1995. Erin started her dance training at age three with dreams like many three year olds of becoming a dancing princess. With her outstanding talent and strong work ethic she has achieved that dream and several more. Erin is a diverse dancer with extensive training in all forms of dance including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop and lyrical. Erin has held many principal roles in UDA’s annual recitals. To name a few she was honored to be Jean-Bob in “The Swan Princess,” one of the Ladies in Waiting in “The Princess & the Pea,” and she was honored to be the leading role of Thumbelina in “The Tale of Thumbelina.” In 2010 Erin danced the leading role of Frau Blucher in UDA’s Repertory production “Young Frankenstein” to assist the team to hold the highest honor of winning first place and over-all high point champion for production teams at all competitions attended. Erin was selected and performed in the 2003 Orange Bowl Half-time show with UDA at the Pro-Players Stadium in Miami, Florida. Erin competed for eleven years with UDA’s competition team in all forms of dance. She has held many high honors, judges choice awards and over-all high scores for her many performances in various small and large groups, solo’s, duo’s and trios as a competitor in ballet, tap, jazz,
lyrical, hip hop and Repertory production teams. As a member of the Universal Competitive Company she has had the opportunity to take master classes from many leading teachers and choreographers from across the country. Erin was the Captain of the North Star Dazzler dance team for two years. She currently attends Southeast Community College and plans to continue and pursue Pre-Physical Therapy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. When Erin is not teaching you will find her friendly face in UDA‘s office eager to greet each family and help in any way. Erin is excited to continue working with UDA’s wonderful students.