Sharon Teo—UDA Instructor
Sharon Teo 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 atAustin. 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, Australia & New Zealand; and television broadcast by MTV networks 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 ... (Click here for more)

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 has been 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 in 2007 and traveled across the US teaching high school dance teams. In the 2009 UCC competitive season, Stephanie received many excellence in choreography awards. Most outstanding of which is the elite award at the Spotlight Events Competition, where she co-choreograhed a lyrical line titled “This Storm” which received the Federation of Dance Competitions national nomination. 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 Management 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 it’s opening season in 1995. She trained extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, pointe, and hip- hop. Chelsea has been a member of UDA’s Repertory Team for ten years and has also competed with The Universal Competitive Company in many award winning solos, duos, and trios. 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 half-time 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 honor roll for four years and on National Honor Society her senior year. As a three year member and captain of the Southeast Shirette 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 in the academic transfer program at Southeast Community College pursuing a degree in Nursing. 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 over all 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, 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, senior class president, and choreographer for Pius’ show choir and musical, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and "The Secret Garden." This year, Sarah will continue to be Pius X High School's choreographer and Show Choir Assistant. She will be a Sophomore at University of Nebraska majoring in Secondary English with a Dance minor. Sarah is a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and is excited to dance at Memorial Stadium as a member of the Scarlets Dance team. Sarah loves the Universal Dance Academy family and can't wait to experience another year sharing her passion and joy with UDA's fabulous students.

Danielle Drammeh —UDA Instructor
Danielle Drammeh has been studying dance since the age of four. Her extensive training in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, musical theatre and cheer is easily admired. She graduated from Lincoln High, where she was a member of the Pomalinks dance team for three years. With the Pomalinks she competed in the 2008 Universal Dance Association All-Stars National Competition in Florida, where they received an honorable 5th place overall award. She has been a strong member of Universal’s Repertory and UCC teams for many years. She has received many top awards in various large groups, small groups and her solo throughout the years as a competitor. As a member of UCC she has had the opportunity to take master classes from many leading teachers and choreographers from across the country. In the 2009 competitive season, Danielle was recognized as an elite hip hop performer and was the recipient of two scholarships for her hip hop talent including a full scholarship to the Urban Legends workshop in California and the East Coast Dance Festival in Florida. Danielle’s exceptional performance quality earned her the judge’s choice award for “Owning the Stage” at the 2009 Fire and Ice Talent Competition. Danielle was a member of the UDA Orange Bowl select team and performed in the 2003 half-time performance show in Miami, Florida. Her leadership, talent and dynamic personality made her a wonderful teacher assistant and role model for UDA’s dancers over the years. She is currently majoring in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Sports Medicine at Southeast Community College. Danielle can’t wait to share her fire and spunk for dance with UDA’s fabulous students!