|
Shannon Forrester, alongside her mother, Eileen Forrester, is a Director and Choreographer of Dance for the Forrester School of Dance in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Shannon has been dancing since the age of 4 under the direction of her mother and her primary dance training includes Highland and Celtic Step Dance. Shannon's versatility as a performer extends past her accomplished talent in Highland and Celtic Step Dance as she is a well known performer and choreographer of Hip Hop, Modern, Liturgical, Irish, and Scottish Ballet. She has become known for her fresh approach, originality and creativity with dance and her style of teaching. During Shannon's competitive years she was a consistent award winner in Highland, choreography and novelty dance competitions and obtained medals, trophies, and major awards on local, national, and international levels. She has both competed and performed in competitions and folk festivals throughout Canada, the United States, Europe & Asia, however, Shannon's true passion has always been as a performer and entertainer. Shannon performs regularly in approximately 50 shows per year, both with her dance company and as a soloist. Besides many local performances, she has been involved in major shows and television productions locally and abroad such as:
Shannon has had the privilege of sharing the stage and guest appearing with such local and international artists as Peter Gillis, the Cape Breton Chorale, the Barra MacNeils, Natalie MacMaster, Winnie & Pat Chafe, Pipe Major Michael Campbell, The Cape Breton Pipes and Drums, Ashley MacIsaac, Haugaard & Hoirup, Crasdant, Shawn MacDonald, Nathan Wiley, and many other talented performers. Shannon and her sisters, Shendle and Shara, performed heavily during their younger years as the "Forrester Sisters" and from time to time reunite for a special performance. Shara and Shendle both reside in Ottawa where they teach classes and workshops in the Ottawa area. Shannon's gracefulness and elegant performance style through "Liturgical Dance" has brought her to many churches to enhance the theme of countless spiritual celebrations. More specifically, Shannon has had the opportunity to perform for Bishop Colin Campbell, as well as for the Jubilee Anniversary of the Diocese which was celebrated in Sydney, Nova Scotia. She regularly teaches and performs with local church groups and organizations throughout Cape Breton . Shannon offers creative and high energy Hip Hop classes to children and adults ages 5 and over. Her Hip Hop classes are especially fun filled and her choreographies are energetic and top notch!! She has been involved with pageant and cheerleading team choreography as well. Shannon is also a member of Perform! - A fine arts program which brings together practicing performing artists with teachers and students in public and private schools across Nova Scotia through the visual arts! If your school is interested in participating in this program, please feel free to contact us. We would be pleased to share our culture with your students! Shannon has been teaching dance since 1991 and regularly conducts workshops both locally and abroad. Some of her teachings have taken her to places as far as Asia, Scotland, Canada, and the United States. In Scotland in the late eighties & early nineties, Step Dance was becoming almost extinct; Shannon was excited to teach step dance in Scotland during that time. Locally, she has been approached by many groups visiting the Island who want to partake in her workshops so they may take back to their homeland, "a taste of Cape Breton" culture. Some of these individuals have come from Japan and Egypt, as well as members from the talented touring group "Up with People". Shannon is one of the leading young ambassadors of our Celtic culture today. Besides this, balancing a professional career with a successful family-run business, passion for sharing and preserving our Celtic culture and family tradition, involvement within our local community and Cape Breton on professional and cultural levels and dedication to her personal life demonstrates to the energy, commitment, and respect Shannon has for her true passions in life…. Shannon plans to continue expanding the dance school that is currently into its 42nd year in operation and carry forth the family tradition that has existed for over 55 years.
Contact Shannon for class, workshop or performance information - she offers a variety of specialized class structures to suit your interests! |
