​Sheryl Watkins T.C.R.G – Principal Teacher
Sheryl has been involved in Irish dancing for more than 35 years. Having started classes at the age of eight, Sheryl has enjoyed a successful and enjoyable competitive Irish dancing career both as a dancer and as a teacher. A five-time Queensland solo championship runner-up and Queensland Irish Association & Mid Year Feis Title winner, Sheryl has won many state figure dancing titles and is an Australian figure dance champion. She was also ranked in the Top 5 nationally for solos. In 1986, she was a recall finalist in the World Irish Dancing Championships, which were held in Limerick in Ireland, finishing in the Top 20.

Sheryl was also invited to perform with the internationally-acclaimed Irish group “The Chieftains” during their Brisbane tour in 1987 and took the stage at QPAC with the famous musicians. In 1989, “The Chieftains” invited her to join their Australian tour but the arrival of a baby daughter only weeks before the tour meant Sheryl was unable to accept the offer.

After retiring from competitive dance, Sheryl set her sights on teaching and was appointed principal teacher at the Queensland Irish Association, where she schooled almost 70 students from children to adults. Under her instruction, the QIA Dancers collected many solo and figure dancing titles including an Australian figure dancing championship title in 1991.

After two years at the QIA, Sheryl established her own dance school – the WATKINS ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCE – with classes operating in Ipswich and Brisbane’s western suburbs. Since its inception in 1992, the WATKINS ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCE has produced many solo and figure dance champions and its dancers have been placed in the Top 10 in the world.

Sheryl Watkins is a qualified Irish dance teacher, having passed the comprehensive TCRG (Teachers) Exam. Registered with the An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha (Irish Dancing Commission) in Dublin and the Australian Irish Dancing Association.