Over the past several years Shea has choreographed talents for
many women competing in the Miss America Pageant system in the
areas of tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, clogging, acrobatics and
movement for vocalists. Her understanding of the pageant system
and talent requirements has resulted in many talent awards.
Shea prides herself in not only improving the style and technique
of the contestants, but also working a great deal with each contestant
on their confidence in all areas of competition.
Shea
has first hand knowledge of the Miss America system having been
a contestant. At the age of 18 she was crowned Miss OCU during
her freshman year at Oklahoma City University. She was a top
10 finalist and prelim talent winner at Miss Oklahoma that year.
The next year Shea competed at Miss Oklahoma as Miss Norman and
at 19 was a prelim talent winner and first runner-up to Shawntel
Smith, who became Miss America. Shea then made the decision to
move to NY the next year to pursue her dance career. She entered
the Miss NY pageant as Miss NYC and was 2nd runner-up. Her pageant
career ended but not her love for performance or for pageants.
Shea endeavors to pass her experiences on to contestants of all
ages.
In addition to choreographing talents for contestants Shea is
also involved in choreographing local and state pageants for
both the Miss America and USA systems. For the past five years
Shea has choreographed the Miss Florida Pageant bringing to the
pageant and the contestants her up to the minute choreography
and flair. Shea choreographed a routine for Miss America 2002
Katie Harman, which she performed during the preliminary competition.
Through pageants, Shea has learned a lot about herself and her
talents. The most important lesson she has learned is to always
be yourself. Never change for the sake of a pageant, a judging
panel, or the whim of someone else.
Being true to yourself will gain much more recognition than
a crown. While she remains an advocate of pageants, she keeps
the experience in perspective. It is only successful if it feels
right.
contestants Shea has choreographed for
Sampling list:
Sierra Minott – Miss Florida '08 & 4th runner-up at Miss America
Avery Cooper – Miss AL Outstanding Teen '09
Lexie Overholt – Miss Virginia Oustanding Teen '08 and talent winner,
and top 10 at Nationals
Courtney Sexton – Miss Florida Outstanding Teen '08
Caitlin Brunell – Miss America Outstanding Teen 2007 Winner (state prelim talent winner
)
Elena LaQuatra – Miss America Oustanding Teen 2007 2nd RU
BrieAnna Hester – Miss NC Outstanding Teen winner and prelim talent winner 2007
Georgia Frazier – Miss OK Outstanding Teen 3rd RU 2007
Megan Beiswenger – Miss KT 3rd RU 2007
Megan Clementi – Miss FL top 10 2007
Jordan Chanley – Miss NM top 10 2007
Bethlene Pancoast – winner Miss NY 2006, non-finalist talent winner at Miss America 2007
Ashley Hobbs –Miss Oklahoma 2nd ru 2006
Georgia Frazier – Miss Oklahoma Outstanding Teen – top 10 2006
Jamie Butemeyer – Miss Oklahoma Outstanding Teen – top 10 2006
Diera Shaw – Miss NJ top 10 2006
Megan Beiswenger – Miss KT top 10 2006
Amanda Kozack – 1st runner-up at National Sweetheart
Sierra Minott (FL) – Miss America Outstanding Teen 3 rd runner up 2005
Natalie Wood – Miss MS Outstanding Teen 2005 and state talent winner
Kristen Springer – Miss GA Outstanding Teen 2005
Rebecca Robinson – Miss TX 2005 4 th runner up
Amanda Kozack – Miss GA 1 st RU 2005
Kristen Swinehart – Miss OH 1 st RU 2005
Diera Shaw – Miss PA 2 nd RU 2005
Blair Riley – Miss GA 2 nd RU 2005
Erin Valenti – Miss RI 4 th RU 2005
Fallen Branco – Miss MA top 8 2005
Brooke Garner – Miss GA top 10 2005
Megan Beishwner – Miss KT non finalist talent award 2005
Chantelle LeFevre – NY Junior Miss Talent winner 2005
Ashley Wood – Miss SC 2004
Elizabeth Kinney – Miss OK 2004, Miss America top 10 finalist
Erin Lindsey – Miss GA 2nd RU 2004
Abby Houseworth – Miss AR 4th RU 2004, 1 st RU 2003, National Sweetheart Top 10
Diera Shaw – Miss NJ 1 st RU 2003, 1 st RU National Sweetheart
Blair Chenoweth – Miss AK 2003 and prelim talent winner
Tia Corbett – Miss NC 2003 prelim talent winner
Rachel Wadsworth – Miss ME 2002
Brooke Anderson – Miss GA 3rd RU 2002, 1 st RU 2001, prelim talent winner, National Sweetheart Top 10
Karrin Duggen – Miss OK 3rd runner-up 2002
Tanisha Brito – Miss CT 2002, Miss America Top 10 finalist
Jeanna Raney – Miss SC 2001, Miss America Top 20 finalist
Christina Bermudez – Miss FL 2nd RU 2001
Julie Payne – Miss OK 1998, Miss America prelim talent winner and Top 10 finalist
What there saying about Shea Sullivan's
Choreography
“Before competing for Miss America's Outstanding Teen, I had the privilege of working with Miss Shea on my dance routine. I had so much fun working with her. She comes up with the most amazing choreography and find ways to highlight my strengths. Her creativity, humor and enthusiasm are contagious. Working with her has been such a blessing and I am so thankful for all her help, encouragement and friendship!
Love you Miss Shea!)”
– Caitlin Brunell-Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008
"Having the opportunity to work with Shea Sullivan is a dream come
true! When it came time to get a new talent routine for the 2008 Miss Florida Pageant, she was my first and only choice. She worked with me
to create a one-of-a-kind musical theatre number that I absolutely adore! Not only is she an incredibly gifted choreographer who is on the
cutting edge of dance, but she is an insightful teacher who really cares about her students and brings out their personal best. Through
her enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to excellence she has taken me
much farther than I ever thought was possible."
– Sierra Minott, Miss
Florida 2008 and 4th Runner-up at Miss America
“Working with Shea has been an experience of a lifetime. It is hard work, but she puts so much time and effort into making your routine perfect for you! Her creativeness is amazing! I truly love Shea and working with her. Shea helps you improve not only in dance, but in confidence and character too!”
– Avery Cooper,
Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen 2009
"First and foremost, it was truly an honor to work with Shea. I cannot even begin to explain what an inspiring and motivating individual she is. Shea completely embraced my talent routine for Miss America and encouraged me to take it the next level. After being a baton twirling choreographer, I have an extreme appreciation for her teaching style and her motivation for each client and job. Shea's professionalism and expertise set her above the rest."
– Allison Kreiger, Miss Florida 2006
“Shea has one of the most brilliant minds for tap choreography. I have been tapping for 21 years and just when I thought no one could take me to the next level, Shea did. I am so thankful to have her as a choreographer, teacher and mentor.”
– Bethlene Pancoast, Miss New York 2006 Non Finalist Talent winner at Miss
America
“Shea has been an asset to our program for over 10 years – first
as a contestant and now as a Dance Coach for our Miss Oklahomas. We
are glad to have her as part of our pageant family.”
– Kay Alexander, Executive Director – Miss Oklahoma
Pageant
“But the cameras clearly loved Miss South Carolina Ann Ashley Wood as she leapt actoss the stage performing a lyrical ballet to “You Raise Me Up” with what appeared to be veils attached to her wrists, tracing the air.”
– Ann Ashley Wood, Miss South Carolina
“Competition time is stressful without all of the rehearsals
and production numbers that contestants participate in. Shea
Sullivan makes it enjoyable – she understands
that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses and she finds
a balance to make each contestant look their personal best. Her
choreography is NOW! The fact that she has also competed gives
an understanding of what contestants are feeling and she uses
her own experiences when working with the contestants. She is
professional to work with, innovative and trendy but above all,
she has a true respect for the pageant and competitors.”
– Shauna Pender, Miss Florida 2003
"Shea is not only is a great choreographer,
but she made such a boost in
my confidence. Something that separates her from other teachers and dancers
is that she taught me unique routines that fit my personality. She made sure
that just because a combination looked good on her that it looked good on me
too. She pushed me to work for everything! “
– Abby Houseworth
Miss Arkansas 1 st Runner-up 2003, 4th Runner-up 2004
"Shea took my dance skills and pushed me to the next level. She
is a rare choreographer who can combine technical tap work and
showmanship to make the audience say 'WOW'. She absolutely
gave me the polish and confidence I needed."
– Elizabeth Kinney
Miss Oklahoma 2004,
Miss America top 10 finalist
