Shannon Marshall established the Shannon O’Brien School of Dance in 1992. Through her commitment to constant improvement and education, Shannon forged the pathway to our success as a school today. SOSD has grown to become one of the largest and most respected schools in Southeastern MA as well as RI.

Shannon received her early training with Susan Montgrain and Herci Marsden at the Brae Crest School of Classical Ballet. Shannon grew up dancing in competitions along the east coast where she made many ties with dancers who are still in the business today. As a company member of the State Ballet of RI she performed in such classics as Giselle, Coppelia, and Prince Igor’s Polovtsian Dances. Through the years, Shannon has had the opportunity to travel and study with many world pioneers in dance. In the early 90’s Shannon’s focus on dance education led her to further her training as a dance major at Dean College.

During the past two decades, Shannon has produced dancers who have gone on to successful careers in performance, choreography and dance education. Shannon’s training has awarded dancers acceptance and scholarship to some of the country’s finest dance institutions including Julliard and Alvin Ailey. In 2008, Shannon’s dancers were selected to represent the United States at The World Jazz Cup and Modern Dance Championships in Mikolajki, Poland. Dancers from over 30 countries were represented. SOSD Dancers brought home one silver and two bronze medals for the United States. Shannon’s reputation for providing dancers with a solid framework of training has resulted in her becoming a sought after Master Teacher at such organizations as Dance Masters and ADA.

Shannon is often asked to share her well respected business knowledge and teaching philosophy with the dance community through speaking engagements and nationally recognized dance magazines

Shannon travels the United States and Canada as an adjudicator with American Dance Awards, the most prestigious dance competition in North America. Shannon’s most rewarding role is mother to her three beautiful children Ellen, Sean, and Bridget.