If you grew up in the world of dance, you know its benefits all too well: refined motor skills, teamwork, discipline, exercise, the list goes on. For Franklin native Maureen Sharp, dance has been a key part of her life since she was just three years old.
“I was born in North Carolina but moved to Tennessee when I was two,” Sharp says. “I’ve grown up here in Franklin. My mom put me in dance at three, and I fell in love with it.”
Now 37 years later, Sharp is keeping the fancy footwork going through her own studio, Grassland Dance Academy (GDA). While she now fosters a love of dance in children in the very community she grew up in, her full-circle journey to getting here found her in every nook and cranny around the world.
“I worked for Celebrity Cruise Lines for six years as a production dancer, performing Broadway-style shows and exploring various dance styles on board,” Sharp says. “With that, I got to travel around the world, and I moved into aerial silks like lyra and trapeze.”
She cozied up in her ship cabin and sailed the world performing for eager travelers, eventually moving into a director position for the cruise line where she helped cast the shows and assist the choreographers.
“Though it was so cool, when you’re in that transient lifestyle for such a long time, you don’t realize how much you crave normalcy,” Sharp says, recalling the days she had to be ‘on’ from the moment she stepped out of her stateroom. “I just wanted to get up in my pjs and have a cup of coffee.”
Eventually, she knew it was time to come home. She returned to the Grassland community and set her sights on opening a studio to continue sharing her passion for dance with the next generation. Twelve years ago, Grassland Dance Academy was born as a way for Sharp to pass on her passion for the art of dance in a community-focused setting.
Because of her career traveling the world, she worked with dancers from tons of countries and varying backgrounds. But one thing they all had in common? Good technique. She used this as the driving force behind her mission, focusing her programs on technical training and camaraderie as opposed to competition.
“The competitive dance world can be insane,” Sharp says. “It doesn’t train kids to be good dancers; it trains them to be competitive. On top of being a good dancer, it’s about being a good individual, having a good work ethic, and committing to their craft. Balance in life is so important.”
From the moment dancers and their families walk through the GDA doors, she hopes everyone feels her commitment to creating a welcoming and safe environment.
Classes begin at the age of three and continue through high school graduation. Students begin with a combined ballet, tap, and tumble class, then disciplines break apart and classes expand to include jazz, lyrical, acro, and the always optional hip hop. GDA also offers classes and obstacle courses for boys.
In addition to dance classes, GDA is a popular choice for birthday parties offered in a variety of styles and themes: princesses, ballerinas, Bluey, Taylor Swift, superheroes, and many more. The all-inclusive package includes themed decor, snacks, juice, cupcakes, goodie bags, and themed activities for up to 20 kids.
Beyond dance, Sharp’s complex in Grassland has expanded to include a smoothie bar and salon suites. The smoothie bar offers healthy dining options like quesadillas, bowls, and fruit popsicles, and the salon suites house independent beauty professionals offering their services.
Reflecting on a successful 12 years (and counting) in business, Sharp says the most rewarding part has been the relationships she’s built - from dancers who have graduated and returned to support the studio, to a staff instructor, Katie Trent, who has been with her from the start.
“We couldn’t be here without them,” Sharp adds. “It’s such a lifestyle; you dance together, and then you’re friends forever.”
GDADance.com