Faculty

Caren Sharp

Owner/Director

I began my dancing career 45 years ago in Orlando, FL. For 10 years I studied at the Royal School of Dance under Edith and Bill Royal. I then studied with Ballet Orlando for 5 years, where I danced professionally with Bruce Steivel and Amanda Olivia. I began my teaching career 25 years ago at Raskin Dance Studio in Kissimee, Fl. At the Raskin Studio I had the opportunity to teach and choreograph dances for The World Dancers at Walt Disney World, as well as rising stars Cris Judd and Larry Sullivan. I founded Sharpsburg Dance Academy in June of 2004. I have an award winning competition team. And many choregraphy awards. Some of my students have gone on in the career of dance in college and on the professional level. I keep my studio focus on a family focused atmosphere and getting the family involved. I am here to pass on the love of dance to the next generation. I split my time with my husband, Steve, in Boynton Beach, Fl and Sharpsburg, Ga. I have 3 children

Abigail (Abba) Parrott

Co-Owner/Artistic Director

Abba began her training at the age of 6 with Step to the Rhythm Dance Center, studying Ballet, Jazz and Clogging. At the age of 11 she joined Sharpsburg Dance Academy, training under Caren Sharp, studying Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop. She was an award winning Student Choreographer for Applause Talent Competition 2 years in a row. In 2006 and 2007 Abba had the privilege to train with Camp Broadway out of New York City and perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. At the age of 18, Abba moved on to pursue her dance career studying at some of Atlanta's Premier Dance Studio's. Abba has obtained a lot of knowledge in dance over the years by training under many instructors in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, and hip-hop. She also taught dance at local studios throughout the metro Atlanta area. In 2012 she came back to Sharpsburg DanceAcademy to teach and is now the Assistant Director. This year she also became the newest member of Dance Educators of America. In 2014 Abba had the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles and San Diego for two weeks to train and dance with, LA based company, MusEffect. There she had the chance to train with some of LA’s top choreographers such as, Jessica Starr, Jason Gorman, Tommy Miller, Ricky Lam and many more. While in Los Angeles she also got the chance to perform at the VANS U.S. Surf Open with MusEffect and Jessica Starr and shoot “Look at Me”, a PSA on social issues, ft. Azure Antoinette, Monique Coleman and Rachel Melvin. Abba is an award winning choreographer for SDA's competitive dance team. Abba loves to share her passion of dance with everyone around her. Abba became Co-Owner of Sharpsburg Dance Academy in 2017.

Kristi Waddell

Front Office Manager

Mrs. Kristi realized the joy of watching her daughters dance when they joined their first ballet class at SDA in 2006. She then began working as our office manager in 2016. Mrs. Kristi and her husband, Rick, live in Sharpsburg and have four children.

Molly Waddell

Teacher/Asst. Company Co-Director/
Certified Progressing Ballet Technique instructor

Molly's love of dance began at five years old when she joined her first dance class at Sharpsburg Dance Academy. Her collective dance instruction from Mrs. Caren Sharp, Mrs. Abba Parrott and many other well known teachers and choreographers has increased her skill, knowledge and love of performance. Molly has been assisting in and teaching dance classes since 2016 and enjoys seeing her students improve in the art of dance and love to come to the studio each week. She has been a competitive dancer for seven years and has been highlighted for her stage presence and skilled performances. Molly is taking college classes locally, she enjoys photography and is one of the directors of our Mini Competition Team and is Certified in Progressing Ballet Technique.

Macy Waddell

Teacher/Asst.Company Co Director/
Certified Progressing Ballet Technique Instructor

Macy's dance journey began at the age of five right here at Sharpsburg Dance Academy under the direction of Mrs. Caren Sharp and Mrs. Abba Parrott. Being trained by some of the most amazing teachers and choreographers has greatly boosted her experience as a dancer and also as a dance teacher. She has been an award winning competitive dancer for seven years and enjoys teaching dance classes and creating choreography for her students. She is currently taking college classes locally and plans a continued career in dance. Macy is one of the directors of our Mini Competition Team and enjoys sharing the technique required and her love of dance with all of her young students! Also, a certified Progressing Ballet Technique Instructor.

Lilly Waddell

Teacher

Lilly joined her first dance class with Sharpsburg Dance Academy when she was three years old. Early on she realized her love for dance and performance. She has trained at SDA and with other amazing master teachers from all over the country. Lilly has studied many dances styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical and contemporary. She has been dancing competitively since 2014 and is looking forward to another competition season. She has been assisting and teaching dance classes since 2016. Lilly is grateful to have the opportunity to share her passion for the dance arts with her students at SDA.

Deborah Triggs

Teacher

Mrs. Deborah has been teaching at SDA since 2005. She has studied under Betina Carols at Newnan School of Dance. She was a Majorette with Newnan High School and she went to Beanu College for her Dance Major. She lives in Sharpsburg with her husband and 4 children.

Haven Crump

Teacher

Hey! I'm Haven. I have been with Sharpsburg Dance since 2015. I started dancing when I was 10 years old and fell in love with the art and the challege that dancing brings. My true passion for dance started when I took my first inprov class with Mrs. Abba in 2014. In that class, I learned what it meant when Martha Graham said "The body says what words cannot." I am beyond grateful to have the opportunity to be apart of our staff at Sharpsburg Dance Academy to spread that same love and passion for dance that I was taught.

Madi Hoyt

Teacher

Bio Coming Soon

Emilie-Claire Thuman

Teacher

Emilie- Claire Thuman is a Georgia native who has trained since a child in the Atlanta area. She began her training at the age of three at Atlanta Festival Ballet with Nicolas Picaña and Gregory Aaron. She later moved on to train with Atlanta Ballet where she continued to train extensively in classical ballet. She later began her contemporary training with Dance Contempra in Peachtree City with Paula Jenkins while furthering her ballet training with Katy Morgan. It is here she discovered her passion for teaching and contemporary dance. After graduating in May of 2021 from Kennesaw State University, she received training and a Bachelors degree in Dance & Arts Education. She has taught and choreographed for various studios such as Conyers School of Ballet, Dance Contempra, Giselle DiBlasi School of Ballet, and Carla’s Dance Factory. This will be her first year with Sharpsburg Dance Academy where she will be instructing ballet. She hopes to instill a fun, safe, and educational environment and inspire her student’s creativity

Mckenzie Shellnutt

Teacher

Bio Coming Soon

Britani Mattingly

Teacher

Bio Coming Soon

Faculty: Dance Company