Sarah Darby Hughes
Clogging & Dance Instructor
Sarah Darby Hughes began training in ballet, jazz, and tap at the age of 3, and by age 6 was competing nationally in clogging while training incrementally in hip hop. At 15 years old, Sarah joined competitive team “Clog’n FX” where she went on to medal 11 times at the Jr. Olympics in Detroit, Michigan, won the age division title of Teen Ms. American Clogger in 2003, and went on to accrue numerous national champion team titles prior to becoming a studio owner. In 2006, Sarah opened Sole Impulse Dance Studio and began directing the competitive clogging team, “Synergy” as well as numerous competitive hip hop groups until she sold the studio in July 2022 to spend more time with her family. During her directorship, Mrs. Hughes has been named Top Teacher at the National Star Systems Competition in 2005 and 2006, crowned Overall Miss American Clogger 2006/2007, earned a spot on the “Clogging Champions of America” All-Pro Team in 2009, and was inducted into the “National Clogging and Hoedown Council” Hall of Fame in 2012. As a director, Sarah has won 20 overall national grand champion team titles as well as numerous national award winning soloists and duos. Sarah's clogging choreography has appeared on MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew" and "America's Got Talent", with Sarah recently appeared on TLC's "7 Little Johnstons" and featured on the TLC clogging special “Down South Dance” in 2012 which focused on her team, Synergy, and the world of competitive clogging. Sarah has performed with the world famous “Radio City Rockettes” and for the Atlanta Braves. In 2019, Hughes began coaching the South Forsyth Varsity Hip Hop dance team which has clinched three state hip hop titles in the 7A division in her last four years of coaching. With continued success in dance and clogging competition circuits, Sarah does free-lance choreography and also teaches at workshops and conventions throughout the US to share her clogging and hip hop passion with others. Sarah graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia with a degree in Social Studies Education and currently runs “Banker Custom Guitars” with her husband, Matt. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three pit bulls, traveling, playing drums, attending concerts, and throwing pottery. Mrs. Hughes is beyond excited to join the CDA staff as a recreational clogging and hip hop instructor.
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