Shannon Harty Phillips
Highland Belles Director
2011 ~ present
Mrs. Shannon Phillips was named Director of the Highland Belles in 2011, becoming only the third director in the team’s storied history.
A top-20 graduate of Allen High School, Mrs. Phillips served as captain of the Tallenettes and then captain of the Kilgore College Rangerettes. She earned a bachelor’s degree in dance from Sam Houston State University and later completed a master’s degree in educational administration along with a Texas principal's certificate.
Before joining Highland Park ISD, Mrs. Phillips spent four years in Eanes ISD with the Westlake Hyline and StarSteppers. She also taught six years in Richardson ISD—four years with the Highlandettes at Lake Highlands High School and two years with the Desperados at Richardson High School.
Her professional honors and leadership roles include President of the Kilgore College Rangerette Forever Foundation, Vice President and board member of the Texas Dance Educators Association, an HPISD mentor teacher, and recipient of the HP100 Centennial Endowed Chair for the Fine Arts.
Mrs. Phillips and her husband, Todd, are the proud parents of two daughters, Quinn and Blair.
Highland Belles Associate Director
2011 ~ present
Mrs. Emily Sanchez was named the first Assistant Director of the Highland Belles in 2011 and became Associate Director in 2022.
Mrs. Sanchez began dancing at the age of four and received extensive training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, and contemporary dance. She spent her childhood studying at Dian Clough West Dance Studio and The Gayle Corkery School of Ballet in Fort Worth.
After graduating from Fort Worth Country Day in 1999, Mrs. Sanchez continued her dance education at Stephen F. Austin State University, where she was a member of the Stephen F. Austin Repertory Dance Company for two years. She later transferred to Texas State University in San Marcos, where she was a member of the Orchesis Modern Dance Company for three years and served as Vice President in 2004.
Mrs. Sanchez graduated magna cum laude from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Dance with Secondary Teaching Certification and a minor in Psychology. She later earned All-Level Certification in Physical Education and a Master of Education in School Counseling.
From 2006 to 2009, Mrs. Sanchez taught dance and served as Assistant Director of the award-winning Trojan Belle Dance Team at L.C. Anderson High School in Austin.
Mrs. Sanchez and her husband, Charlie, are the proud parents of four children: Ethan, Gavin, Isabella, and Jacob.
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Highland Belles Assistant Director
2026 ~ present
Mrs. Madison Cashion was named Assistant Director of the Highland Belles in 2026.
Ms. Cashion is a native of College Station, where she was a member of the inaugural graduating class of College Station High School. As a CSHS Strutter, she served as both a Dance Officer and Captain.
After high school, Ms. Cashion attended Kilgore College as a member of the 76th line of the renowned Kilgore College Rangerettes, where she was named Head Swingster and Captain. She was also a member of Industry Dance Company, a pre-professional dance company within the Kilgore College Dance Department.
Following her time at Kilgore College, Ms. Cashion continued her education at Texas A&M University, earning a bachelor's degree with a concentration in Dance and minors in both Leadership and Psychology.
She began her first two years of teaching at Seven Lakes High School in Katy as Assistant Director of the Sapphires. She then joined Westlake High School, where she served as Assistant Director of the Hyline and Star Steppers for five years. She is currently on staff with Encore Creative Productions, where she helps develop and present leadership curriculum for Officer Camp.
