Shannon brings over a decade of performance, choreography, and teaching expertise to her role as Ballet Mistress and Co-Director of Northern Nevada Ballet Academy. Shannon built a strong foundation in anatomy, nutrition, kinesiology, and injury prevention at Brigham Young University, where she earned a B.A. in Fine Arts and Communications and served as president of their touring Theatre Ballet Company.

 

Shannon's vast knowledge of Vaganova, RAD, and Balanchine techniques has fueled her success in both choreography and dance education. She broadened her technical and artistic abilities through studies at the New Jersey School of Ballet and membership in their Junior Company, learning from renowned figures such as Edward Villella and Valentina Kozlova. She furthered her rigorous training at the School of American Ballet in New York City under Peter Martins, with celebrated instructors including Kay Mazzo, Suki Schorer, Peter Boal, and Darci Kistler. She also performed and trained with Miami City Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and the Kirov Ballet in Washington, D.C.

 

Her accolades, including the Milton F. Hartuigsen Physical Education Award and the BYU Dance Talent Award, underscore her commitment to technical excellence and artistic integrity. Recognized as a pointe and pre-pointe expert, Shannon ensures her students master the critical techniques required for both foundational training and advanced performance. Complementing her extensive performance credits on national tours, she has dedicated herself to teaching and producing original choreographic works for prestigious institutions, including Menlo Park Academy of Dance, Dance Connection Palo Alto, Academy of American Ballet, and Esprit De Corps Dance Company.

At Northern Nevada Ballet Academy, Ms. Shannon is dedicated to inspiring and nurturing every student with a blend of precision, passion, and artistry, cultivating not only exceptional dancers but also successful individuals. Additionally, Ms. Shannon will lead NNBA's new initiative: the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Dancers—a transformative program designed to empower our students both on and off the stage. Inspired by Stephen R. Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People—a guiding philosophy the business world has embraced since its release—this program beautifully reflects NNBA’s commitment to cultivating excellence in both life and art.