Sherlock Sisters Redefine Orlando Dance Through Movement and Mentorship
- Yamberlie
- May 25
- 5 min read
Updated: May 25
Some stories begin with a single step; this one starts with two.
When Racquel and Ashley Sherlock arrived in Orlando from Canada, they weren’t just bringing their suitcases and choreography, they were bringing a new rhythm, one that would soon pulsate through the studios, competitions, and community of Lake Nona’s thriving dance scene. Their move wasn’t flashy or self-promoting, but the ripple effects of their arrival at Movez Dance Academy have become impossible to ignore.
In an era where artistry and authenticity are often overshadowed by the race for virality, the Sherlock Sisters are quietly building something far more enduring. With backgrounds rooted in classical training and years of performance alongside industry heavyweights, the sisters integrate technique with emotional depth in a way that both challenges and elevates their students. They are not just teachers; they are mentors, role models, and for many young dancers, the reason they believe in themselves a little more every time they step onto the floor.
Their dance foundation is as solid as it is diverse.
Racquel brings a magnetic presence that commands attention without demanding it. A member of the Toronto Raptors’ Hip Hop crew and a featured actress in Amazon Prime’s Life’s Rewards, she carries her accomplishments lightly, choosing instead to focus on pouring her experience into the next generation. Racquel trained in classical ballet at Canadian Ballet Theatre under the esteemed Nadia Veselova Tencer, and expanded her range under the tutelage of Dawn Branch in contemporary and Paul “Kaze” in street styles.
Ashley, equally impressive, has danced with some of the best in the industry and brings to the studio a remarkable ability to read and respond to her students’ needs, technical and emotional alike. Ashley Sherlock brings over 14 years of training experience across various styles, with a focus on hip-hop and storytelling through movement. She has danced with Toronto’s Fresh Factory and Orlando’s MOTIV, a commercial edge with emotional depth. Now, she channels that range into choreography and coaching at Movez Dance Academy. Ashley’s commercial and competitive dance experience gave her the sharpness and stamina that define her teaching today.
The result is a unique balance of old-world discipline and modern expression that appeals to both traditionalists and trendsetters in the dance world. Together, they’re a study in contrast and cohesion: Racquel’s fire, Ashley’s warmth, both unwavering in their commitment to excellence.
But what truly sets them apart is what happens when the music starts.
Their classes at Movez Dance Academy aren’t just about hitting beats or executing technique; they’re about transformation. The room becomes a safe space where movement serves as a means of storytelling, and each correction is an invitation to growth. Students learn to find their voice without saying a word. In hip-hop classes, bodies move with unapologetic power; in contemporary dance, vulnerability is not only allowed, it’s expected. Discipline and emotion are not opposing forces here; they are dance partners, learning to move in tandem.
And it’s a discipline that is hard-won. A 2004 study published in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine found that dancers face injury rates rivaling those in contact sports like football. The sheer physical and mental rigor demanded by dance is staggering. Memorizing complex choreography, synchronizing with a group, adapting to lighting cues, battling nerves, and delivering an emotionally compelling performance requires more than just talent; it requires resilience. The Sherlock Sisters teach this resilience, not just through drills and reps, but through conversations about self-worth, coping with pressure, and the importance of rest and recovery.
This holistic approach doesn’t end at the studio door. Racquel and Ashley extend their passion into the wider Orlando community, offering workshops that welcome dancers of all ages and skill levels. These aren’t just intensive classes; they’re masterfully human experiences, often themed around empowerment, identity, and healing. Their mission is clear: dance should not be a privilege reserved for the elite, but a platform for everybody, every story, every dream.
Their presence at Movez Dance Academy has helped solidify the studio as a place not just of competition success, but of character development. Under their guidance, the studio has flourished not just in trophies but in testimonials. Students are being scouted for major opportunities. Parents rearrange schedules to make the drive. There’s a magnetism to what they’re building that goes beyond technique. It’s about culture. It’s about care. It’s about redefining what a dance teacher can be when they show up fully for their students, not just as artists, but as people.
It’s not uncommon for a parent to tear up while describing how their once-shy child now dances with confidence at national competitions. Or for a student to admit that they came to class to improve their fouettés but found their courage instead.
The sisters’ ability to connect is intuitive and deeply personal. They remember birthdays, notice when a child is having a hard day, and follow up on injuries, not just to check on recovery, but to make sure their students feel seen and supported. They aren’t just building dancers; they’re shaping humans who know their worth, who show up with intention, and who carry that discipline into every corner of their lives.
That generosity of spirit is perhaps what’s most moving to witness. Racquel and Ashley don’t pretend to have all the answers. They share their mistakes, their insecurities, their doubts. They model what it looks like to pursue mastery while staying grounded in humility. They cheer loudest for the last dancer to be picked, they take time with the child who forgot the choreography, and they lift up the student who didn't place at competition but showed the most growth. It’s these moments, quiet and consistent, that define their legacy.
When they walk into a room, you don’t just see dancers, you see sisters. That bond, forged in childhood and tested by the pressures of performance and professionalism, radiates outward. It sets the tone. It makes the space feel safe. Students don’t just admire them; they feel like they belong to something when they’re near them. That sense of belonging is rare. It’s what makes dancers stay. It’s what makes parents trust. It’s what makes a studio more than just a place to dance; it becomes a second home.
For all their achievements, the Sherlock Sisters continue to operate with a rare combination of ambition and grace. They are always learning, constantly iterating, always giving more than they take. Whether they’re reviewing choreography, stretching alongside students, or coordinating studio-wide projects with artistic director Andrea and the Movez faculty, they move with intention, and they expect the same from everyone around them. Not because perfection is the goal, but because purpose is.
As Orlando’s dance scene grows, fueled by transplants and talent, it’s the authenticity of leaders like Racquel and Ashley that keeps it anchored. Their story isn’t about arrival, it’s about evolution. About showing up day after day, music cued, heart open, ready to do the work. It’s about proving that excellence doesn’t have to come at the expense of empathy, and that artistry is most potent when it includes everyone at the table.
And while their feet may have led them from Canada to Central Florida, it’s their hearts that are shaping something lasting here. Not just in the studios of Movez Dance Academy, but in the lives of every dancer they touch. This is not a trend. This is a drive. And it’s only just begun.
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