pageants

What they say about working with Shea
Contestants Shea has choreographed for:

CONGRATS CAITLIN BRUNELL!!
Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2007

NON FINALIST TALENT AWARD AT MISS AMERICA 2007

"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

"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

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 two 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:

• 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

“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

“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

click on the images to see more pictures and/or enlarged views.

	Abby Houseworth, performing at 2004 Miss Arkansas Pageant.
	(L-R) Kristen Springer, Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen; Shea Sullivan; and Miss Florida Outstanding Teen.
	Natalie Wood, Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen and Shea Sullivan.
	Miss South Carolina Ann Ashley Wood performs the lyrical ballet 'You Raise Me Up.' “But the cameras clearly loved Miss SouthCarolina 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. (choreography by Shea Sullivan) – The Press, Atlantic City - (2004 Miss America Pageant)

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