After studying at London Contemporary Dance School, Sharon graduated from the BPA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance at NSCD in 1997.
MA
Honorary Doctor of the Arts
Additional Qualifications:
Clore Leadership, Bespoke leadership training
Common Purpose Meridian programme
Windsor Leadership programme
Roles & Responsibilities:
To provide overall leadership on all aspects of the work of the School, including taking responsibility for the fulfilment of the mission, educational and artistic direction, business success, quality standards, financial performance and organisational development.
To have a commitment to the development of the performing arts in the North of England and the ability to lead/oversee business development and fundraising as the School moves forward.
Organisation, direction and management of the school and leadership of the staff. Vision and strategies. Advocacy and deliver an ambassadorial role.
During her tenure at Phoenix Dance Theatre, Sharon received a number of awards and accolades: In 2010, she was named as one of the Cultural Leadership Programme’s ‘Women to Watch’, a list of 50 influential women working in arts and culture in the UK. She was awarded The Sue Ryder ‘Yorkshire Women of Achievement in Business Award’ and named ‘Yorkshire Woman of the Year’ in 2016. She recently received the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts’ Companionship Award from Sir Paul McCartney and was recognised as one of ‘100 faces of a vibrant economy 2017’ by Grant Thornton. Acknowledged at the 2017 Northern Power Women Awards as part of the very first ‘Top 50 Power List’, in 2018 Sharon won the First English Woman’s Award for Arts and Culture.
Northern School of Contemporary Dance presented Sharon with an Honorary Fellowship in 2018. In July of 2019 Sharon received an Honorary Doctorate from Leeds Beckett University for her contribution to the arts and in October of the same year she was named the ‘Arts and Media Senior Leader of the Year’ by the Black British Business Awards. Sharon’s recognitions are testament to her continued passion and drive to contribute to the local and national creative industries through the medium of dance.
Sharon is a previous trustee of Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and The Place, a previous adviser for Central School of Ballet and a current trustee of Leeds Playhouse. She is currently a governor of Leeds Beckett University. Sharon was the Chair of the former Leeds 2023 Independent Steering Group and sits on the Leeds 2023 Board of Trustees. She is committed to improving diversity within the arts by supporting the creative voices of women and Black artists.
Sharon succeeded Janet Smith MBE to become the fourth Principal of Northern School of Contemporary Dance in May 2020.
In November 2020, Sharon was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire. In January 2022 she was awarded an MBE for Services to Dance. She appears in the Yorkshire Insider Power 100 list 2022.
Headshot by David Lindsay
Windrush: Movement of the People performance image by Brian Slater
Leeds is my home town, it is where I was born and from this city I have carved out a career which removed the borders of my location and given me a creative span with international reach. I consider myself an optimist. I work in a sector which is considered one of the fastest-growing sectors in the UK. Managing my own expectations excites and challenges me simultaneously.
As a wife and a mother of two, I believe and will remain actively engaged in fighting for equality and justice for the greater good of us all and for a world I hope, those coming after me will love, value and appreciate.
I am committed to improving diversity within the arts by supporting the creative voices of women and Black, Asian and ethnic minority artists.
Sharon’s dual role as CEO and Principal, combined with her extensive background as a professional choreographer, plays a crucial role in shaping curriculum design, planning, and development. Her practical expertise in choreography ensures that the curriculum remains relevant, creatively driven, and aligned with industry standards. Sharon’s leadership enables her to foster a dynamic learning environment where the artistic and professional needs of students are prioritised.
Sharon’s extensive educational background has significantly shaped her approach to curriculum design, planning, and development, directly influencing teaching and learning at the institutions she leads. After graduating with a BPA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) in 1997, her further qualifications, including an MA and an Honorary Doctorate of the Arts, have strengthened her expertise in both the educational and artistic realms. Sharon’s leadership training through the Clore Leadership Programme, Common Purpose Meridian Programme, and Windsor Leadership Programme have provided her with strategic skills that she has applied to the organisation, management, and vision of the institutions she serves.
Her dedication to developing the performing arts in the North of England, coupled with her commitment to diversity, has allowed her to create inclusive, forward-thinking curriculums that inspire and empower students. Her ability to oversee educational and artistic direction, alongside business success and quality standards, ensures that the curriculum not only aligns with contemporary artistic trends but also meets the evolving needs of learners. Sharon’s influence is evident in her dedication to fostering an environment where teaching and learning are dynamic, inclusive, and deeply rooted in the creative industries, benefiting both students and the broader community.
Sharon, plays an important role in supporting students’ pastoral care by fostering an environment that values both academic and personal well-being. Her dual expertise as a professional choreographer allows her to connect with students on a creative level, understanding the pressures and emotional challenges that come with artistic pursuits. This connection enables her to implement holistic support systems that address students’ mental health, emotional resilience, and creative development. By promoting a culture of empathy and care, Sharon ensures that students feel supported not only in their academic journey but also in their personal growth.
In May 2020, Sharon was appointed CEO and Principal of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Prior to this, Sharon was the 7th and longest-standing Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre. Trained at the London School of Contemporary Dance, she was one of the first female Principal Dancers invited to join the all-male award winning Phoenix Dance Company, touring with the company from 1989 to 1997 where she choreographed Never Still and Shaded Limits.
Having left Phoenix to pursue a number of other ventures including setting up her own company ABCD, Sharon returned in 2009 as the new Artistic Director. During her tenure at Phoenix Dance Theatre, Sharon has received a number of awards and accolades. In 2010, she was named as one of the Cultural Leadership Programme’s ‘Women to Watch’, a list of 50 influential women working in arts and culture in the UK. She was awarded The Sue Ryder ‘Yorkshire Women of Achievement in Business Award’ and named ‘Yorkshire Woman of the Year’ in 2016. She recently received the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts’ Companionship Award from Sir Paul McCartney and was recognised as one of ‘100 faces of a vibrant economy 2017’ by Grant Thornton. Acknowledged at the 2017 Northern Power Women Awards as part of the very first ‘Top 50 Power List’ and in 2018 Sharon won the First English Woman’s Award for Arts and Culture and was presented with an Honorary Fellowship by Northern School of Contemporary Dance. In July of 2019 Sharon received an Honorary Doctorate from Leeds Beckett University for her contribution to the arts. Sharon’s recognitions are testament to her continued passion and drive to contribute to the local and national creative industries through the medium of dance.
In November 2020, Sharon was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire and in 2021 she was awarded an MBE in the Queens New Year’s Honours list.
Trustee of:
Cultural and creative activism, its forms and impact.
