Suzy Connolly Shaw

Owner/Director

Suzy Shaw began her journey in the dance world in 1990. Initially a level 10 gymnast, Suzy was training for the 1992 Summer Olympic games when she began her dance training with Cindy Flach in Columbia, SC. While attending school in Columbia, SC, Suzy gained an incredible foundation in multiple genres of dance under the direction of Kris Galemo, Anne Richardson, Mary Claire Miranda, Debbie Roberts, and Susan E. Anderson. Once in high school, she was chosen to join the nationally ranked jazz company at The Southern Strutt where she trained and competed under the direction of Nancy Giles. During these years Suzy quickly became a decorated and recognized dancer as she was awarded multiple scholarships as well as national awards. During this time, Suzy traveled across the country and trained with legends in the dance industry, including Ray Leeper and lyrical dance master, Doug Cauldwell. She credits this time for planting the spark that has become the legacy that she is leaving on the dance world. Even this early, Suzy knew that her gift was in teaching and absolutely paralleled her dancing and gymnastic background. By 1995, she received her first recognition as a choreographer, winning a district wide choreography competition. While in high school, Suzy was also a member of the Carolina Cheerleading Academy where she cheered for ALL STARS for three years, while also cheering and coaching tumbling on her varsity team at Dreher High School. After high school, Suzy traveled to NYC where she trained at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway and learned from dance legends such as Sheila Barker and Mia Michaels. As her time in NYC concluded, she began studying dance at Lander University under the direction of Joey Giles. Suzy was awarded the Carol Nuebner Scholarship as well as the Fine Arts Scholarship in Dance. Her passion as a teacher became more evident while participating in the Lander Dance Company outreach program where was able to teach dance at several area schools. In 1999, Suzy studied dance and theater internationally at Plymouth University in Exmouth, England where she gained a plethora of knowledge that she still utilizes in teaching today. After finishing college, Suzy was the Senateer's dance team coach at Lander University for two years while she taught dance alongside Lottie Jean Guilford. Suzy's love for teaching, and calling to this profession, has always been abundantly clear.

In 2002, she launched Emerald City Dance Explosion, laying the foundation for what is now her nationally ranked, pre-professional, company level training program. Now entering her 24th year as a business owner and company director, she is decorated with more choreography awards, dance industry recognitions, and top-level awards than she could even begin to count. Under Suzy's direction, a countless number of professional performers, collegiate level dancers, national title holders, and a trail of professional dancers are thriving in the dance industry. In addition to the successful dancers, there are equally incredible women and men thriving in their careers, all giving back something they received at their home studio of Emerald City Dance Explosion. Above all, watching her students become their very best and most confident selves is the actual purpose of her program. Suzy is delighted at the journey she is on, the road she has traveled, the connections she has made, the footprints she has left, and beyond everything else, the love for dance that she is sharing with her students, her husband, and their three beautiful children.

Emily Burch

Emily grew up in Greenwood, South Carolina and has been part of Emerald City Dance Explosion since its very beginning in 2001. She began dancing at the age of four and, after graduating from ECDE, she went on to serve as president of the Lander Dance Company while completing her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science at Lander University. Emily earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from East Tennessee State University in 2014 and returned home to Greenwood the following year. After six years of patient care, she now serves as a clinical manager at Self Regional Healthcare for outpatient therapy services.

At ECDE, Emily is the director of the ALL STARS Program, an inclusive dance initiative that creates opportunities for dancers of all abilities to participate fully in classes and performances. She continues to teach and mentor at the studio, combining her expertise in anatomy and movement science with her love of dance. Above all, Emily is passionate about ensuring that every child has the chance to dance and shine like a STAR.

Jennifer Lybrand

Jennifer was born and raised in Greenwood, South Carolina, where she began her dance journey at just five years old. She trained in tap, jazz, ballet, and baton at JETS School of Dance and Baton under the direction of Janey Timmerman Kelley, while also cheering throughout middle and high school.

As an adult, Jennifer’s love for dance was rekindled when she discovered ECDE’s Adult Tap and Jazz classes in 2008. Just two years later, she officially joined the ECDE staff, stepping in while Mrs. Suzy was on maternity leave. Fourteen years later, she now serves as ECDE's Little Stars Director, where she delights in teaching the youngest dancers!

Outside the studio, Jennifer spent twelve years in retail before transitioning into her current role as Children and Youth Ministry Assistant at St. Mark UMC. In her free time, she enjoys working out, traveling to Disney World, date nights with her husband Robby, family time with friends, and playing dinosaurs with her sweet son Jack.

Anna Reynolds

Anna has been a part of ECDE since age three. As a founding member of the youngest competition team, Anna has been a leader since the beginning and began her teaching career at age 17. While working in all realms of the studio, Anna attended Lander University where she graduated with a degree in Business Administration. While at Lander she co-founded Lander University Rockettes, a student organization giving the technically trained dancer an opportunity to continue to dance in a collegiate and theatrical setting.

Anna’s favorite part about teaching at ECDE is that she gets to watch her students grow over the years in dance and in life. She grew up in the exact same room that they are in now. Not only does she get to teach alongside her instructor, and one of the people who influenced her the most, but she gets to teach her instructor’s children and watch them grow up, just like her instructor watched her. Anna feels ECDE not only gave her a place to dance growing up but also gave her lifelong friends, a second family, and a favorite place. Anna loves being able to see that same impact on her students now!

Rachel Carter

Born and raised in Greenwood, South Carolina, Rachel began dancing with Emerald City Dance Explosion at three years old. As a member of ECDE's company, she received numerous awards, titles, and scholarships. Rachel graduated with honors from the University of South Carolina where she obtained a degree in Broadcast Journalism with a concentration in sports media and a minor in dance performance. Throughout her minor studies, Rachel continued training under nationally acclaimed instructors such as Erin Jaffe, Jessica Edwards, and Christopher Aldeguer.

She is now proud to be in her rookie season as an Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader. While living in Atlanta during football season, Rachel continues to share her passion for dance with the next generation by teaching virtually at ECDE. ​

Megan Saylors

Megan first discovered her love for dance at Emerald City Dance Explosion, where she trained from 2002–2007 before returning to join the faculty in 2021. She earned her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Columbia College in South Carolina (2011) and her MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling from Columbia College Chicago (2022). Megan performed with numerous dance companies in Chicago and now performs throughout South Carolina as she continues to share her passion with others. In addition to teaching at ECDE, Megan is a certified Pilates instructor at Young Wellness in Greenwood and integrates her graduate-level knowledge of somatic practices into her classes and performances.

As a Dance/Movement Therapist and Counselor, Megan combines her love of movement with her passion for human connection. She believes deeply in the power of dance to tell stories, build community, and remind us that movement is both connection and magic.

Barbara English

Barbara, originally from Liverpool, England, has shared her lifelong passion for dance for more than forty years. Barbara is the owner of English Theatre Arts in Greenville, SC, and her classes follow the International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA) curriculum. She also served as the ballet teacher for 12 years in the after-school enrichment program at Stone Academy of Communication Arts. Throughout her career, Barbara has inspired countless students, many of whom have gone on to study at the SC Governor’s School for the Arts, pursue college dance programs, or join major dance companies. Her dedication to teaching continues to make a lasting impact on the next generation of dancers.

At ECDE, Barbara leads ballet instruction for our competition students. Her classes emphasize proper technique, discipline, and artistry. Her teaching style reflects both her deep knowledge of classical ballet and her commitment to preparing dancers for the next level of performance opportunities.