Sheri Hayden

Sheri graduated from Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Performing Arts and is a faculty member of OKCU’s renowned Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment, as well as UCO's Musical Theatre and Dance Departments. She teaches multiple dance styles and has choreographed main stage productions for both universities. In 2018, she was nominated for Adjunct Faculty of the Year (OKCU). Her choreography credits include Sister Act (OKCU), Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play (CityRep/OKCU), Meet Me in St. Louis (UCO), Evita (OKCU), Brigadoon (OKCU), The Oklahoma Senior Follies (OCCC), Broadway Bound (OKCU), The Seven Last Words of Christ (Church of the Servant), and Grace Trumps (RACE). Sheri has performed internationally on cruise ships, with The Pollard Theatre Company in The Producers, with Tulsa Ballet in its North American premier of Strictly Gershwin, and is currently a member of Race Dance Company. With RACE, she performed as a guest artist in Los Angeles in Adam Parson’s show +3, Quartets, collaborates often with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and has also been a part of several short dance films; Affliction, Love Existing, and [dis]Ability. Other performance credits include He Said She Said, Home, Energy, Seven Last Words of Christ, The Variety Care Benefit Show, Grace Trumps, Vamp’d, The Racey Show, Hip Hop Nutcracker, The Girlie Show, Raceless, Osage 9^thAnniversary (Commercial), and I Got a Job (Commercial). In addition to performing and choreographing, Sheri also helps direct the elite competitive dance companies at Star Steps Dance Studio in Edmond, Oklahoma. 

Office hours are by appointment only. Please email inquiries to hayden.sheri@gmail.com or shayden2@uco.edu to schedule an appointment.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill’s words speak to my soul so deeply because they articulate my journey as an artist.  Despite the many successes, and failures, I have encountered over the years, I am constantly pushing myself to grow both as an artist and as an educator. I love what I do because I get to do what I love. I am incredibly passionate about the way that dancing and performing makes me feel, and I am eager to share that passion with others in any setting that I can. Being passionate about something is inspiring. I have wonderful mentors that radiate passion from their veins and it is so contagious that it makes me feel like I can conquer the world. It makes my possibilities seem endless, because it doesn’t matter if I am performing in a show, or watching my students in class or onstage, it all surrounds my heart with a happiness that is indescribable. That’s what teaching is all about for me. To make my students feel inspired. I want them to feel that they, too, can conquer the world. I want them to confront the challenges of their mistakes, to delight in their victories, and ultimately gain a sense of confidence in what they have to offer the world. 

I work hard to make sure that my students can be successful in and out of my classroom, and I personally strive to be just as successful. As often as I can, I collaborate with colleagues, travel to take classes from other professionals in the field, go to auditions, work with local theaters and dance companies, and research any other supplemental materials. With all of these opportunities, I am soaking up valuable new information that leaves me so eager to share with my students. I want to experience the things that my students will experience, so I can start to prepare them for what it will look like to be a working professional. I try to make myself vulnerable and put myself in their shoes, so I can stay humble in my teachings, as well as relatable. 

I aspire to be like those who inspire me by putting extra time and effort into myself as an artist. Everything that I do, I go above and beyond what is required of me because it fuels my passion and keeps the fire in my soul burning. It motivates me to be the best that I can be, so I can motivate others to be the best that they can be. I want my students to be so passionate about something in their own lives that it motivates them to conquer the world and share it relentlessly with others. What better way is there to encourage others than by striving to be living proof of exactly that. 

DANC 2621-11499 - Intermediate Tap

MUS 5910-12557 - Intermediate Tap (Graduate Section)

DANC 2731-12390 - Advanced Tap

MUS 5910-13977 - Advanced Tap (Graduate Section)

DANC 2722-10806 - Jazz II

DANC 2441-15852 - Beginning Jazz