Carrie Cheng, Director, was born in Miami, Florida and started her training with Thomas Armour of the Miami Conservatory. She continued her training under Dulce Anaya and the Jacksonville Ballet Theater. She earned a BFA in ballet from the University of Utah with a full four -year scholarship. She has danced professionally with numerous companies including the Utah Ballet, Eugene Ballet, Ballet Theatre of Boston, North Atlantic Ballet and Ballet Concerto and has made guest artist appearances throughout the United States, Mexico and Taiwan. She has been a guest teacher for summer ballet programs for schools such as; Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Texas Ballet Theater, Atlanta Ballet and Ballet Theatre of Boston. Internationally, she has taught in Taiwan and China. Cheng has been adjunct ballet faculty at Texas Christian University, Tarrant County College and served on the board of directors for the Dance Council of North Texas. She was an instructor in ballet for Texas Ballet Theater School in Fort Worth from 2008-2016 and is currently the director of ballet at Fort Worth Country Day. She received a National Honor Roll’s Outstanding American Teachers Award in 2005-2006 and teacher of the year for Texas Ballet Theater School for 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. Carrie Cheng is an “ABT” Certified Teacher who has successfully completed the ABT* Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 5 of the ABT* National Training Curriculum.

Gayle Corkery is the Artistic Advisor of the FWCD Ballet Conservatory and is the former director of the Gayle Corkery School of Ballet from 1970-2020. She studied at American Ballet Theater School in New York City and then performed with the Fort Worth Ballet and the Dallas State Fair Musicals. Ms. Corkery received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from Texas Christian University where she studied ballet, theater, voice and literature. She performed and taught ballet in Germany for two years and returned to Fort Worth to open the Gayle Corkery School of Ballet in 1970. In 1972 she was selected to  participate in the School of American Ballet Services to Ballet Students and Teachers under a Ford Foundation Grant. This program was designed to further the development of professional ballet instruction in the United States. By special invitation Ms. Corkery attended the last teaching seminar of George Balanchine, the director of the New York City Ballet. She also attended seminars of the Paris Opera Ballet in Paris and the Kirov and Bolshoi Academies in Russia. Ms. Corkery developed the FWCD Ballet Department in 1983 and served as the director for 27 years. Ms. Corkery directed eight ballet training DVDs for children with NYCB pianists Steven Mitchell, Whit Kellog, and Tim Grundman.

Natalie Bracken is a performer, teacher, and choreographer in the DFW area. She graduated with a BFA in Ballet and a BA in Political Science with Departmental Honors from TCU where she was a Fine Arts Guild scholarship recipient. She went on to receive her M.Ed in Educational leadership through UNT.  Natalie received her early training in Fort Worth, Texas from Gayle Corkery, Carrie and Li-Chou Cheng, Debbi Jo Utter, Dian West and Barbara Wood. She is currently on the dance and theatre faculty at Fort Worth Country Day and teaches at the Gayle Corkery School of Ballet and Dance Concept. In the past, Natalie has also enjoyed teaching for Texas Christian University, Texas Ballet Theatre and the Dian West Studio. She was a company member of Texas Dance Theatre and the Festival Ballet of North Texas and continues to enjoy performing in the DFW area as a freelance dancer.  Natalie has been fortunate to perform in many ballets including George Balanchine’s Valse Fantaisie, Stephen Mills’ Women in Light, and Petipa’s Giselle, Swan Lake, and Don Quixote. Natalie is level three certified in the Progressing Ballet Technique Method. In her free time, Natalie enjoys pursuing photography though her small business, NBrackenPhotography.com.

Li-Chou Cheng started his professional training when he was thirteen at the Beijing Dance Academy in China. At the age of nineteen he joined the Beijing Central Ballet as a dancer, soloist, and also served as a Ballet Master and Rehearsal Director for company. Since immigrating to the United States in 1980 he served as Assistant Professor at the University of Utah and Arizona State University. In 1988, Mr. Cheng was named the Principal teacher for both the Boston Ballet Company and School. Recently retired, Mr. Cheng was Professor of Professional Practice in Ballet  with the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance at Texas Christian University for 28 years. As a guest teacher in demand nationwide, he has worked with many ballet companies and their summer dance programs such as Pittsburgh Ballet, Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Ballet West, Ballet Met, Ballet Austin, Indianapolis Ballet, Eugene Ballet, Ballet Oregon, North Carolina School of the Arts and Walnut Hill School of Arts. His international teaching experience includes The National Ballet School of Canada, The National Institution of Arts in Mexico, the Taipei National University of Arts and the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre in Taiwan.

Marie Harbour began dancing at the age of seven taking ballet classes at Texas Ballet Theater and the Gayle Corkery School of Ballet. Marie has taught ballet at Gayle Corkery’s school under the guidance of Gayle Corkery for six years. She earned her B.A. in Dance Education at Texas Women’s University, where she learned more in depth teaching techniques in ballet, modern and ballroom. While at Texas Woman’s University, Marie was a member of their International Dance Company, an ensemble that traveled all over Texas performing a variety of dance genres at public and private schools, festivals and conferences. She also performed in multiple informal and formal dance performances and participated in Musicals. Marie has taught ballet in public and private schools, community events, studios and workshops throughout the DFW metroplex. Marie loves working with and helping students of all ages experience and understand the wonderful art form of dance.

Sarah Tipton was born in Houston, TX and received her early dance training at Adamson Ballet School in Katy, Texas. She continued her formal training at the Houston Ballet Academy where she had the opportunity to perform in The Nutcracker and Etudes. Sarah graduated magna cum laude from Texas Christian University and received her BFA in Ballet and her minor in Arts Administration. She danced with Ad Deum Dance Company under the direction of Randall Flinn and performed and taught locally and internationally for six seasons. In 2015 she was one of four dancers chosen to perform with Houston Grand Opera in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. She was an instructor for the Houston Ballet Academy's Lower School for four years, as well as for their Education Outreach Program and Adult Program. Here in Fort Worth, she has had the pleasure of teaching for Texas Ballet Theater, Texas Dance Conservatory, and was an assistant rehearsal director for The School of Classical and Contemporary Dance at TCU. In 2018, she pursued her teacher’s certificate and began directing the elementary dance program at High Point Academy’s south campus. Sarah is excited and honored to work with the students at FWCD Ballet Conservatory and looks forward to a wonderful year.

Devyn Woodruff received her early ballet training in Fort Worth, Texas from the Stanova Semikov Ballet Academy. She continued her ballet training at the Gayle Corkery School of Ballet in Fort Worth, Texas studying under Gayle Corkery and Carrie and Li-Chou Cheng. She also attended the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts where she studied jazz, ballet and modern dance. She went on to earn a B.F.A. in Dance from West Texas A&M University graduating Summa Cum Laude. There she studied a variety of dance genres as well as teaching and choreographic techniques and performed in a various works by faculty and guest artists. She has danced professionally in The Texas Outdoor Musical Drama, with the Festival Ballet of North Central Texas, and with the Dallas Opera. She currently teaches at Kids Who Care and the Gayle Corkery School of Ballet. Devyn is also a classically trained vocalist. She enjoys continuing to perform as freelance dancer and singer in the DFW area.

Bridgette Chrisco is a 200hr Yoga Alliance certified yoga instructor and dance teacher. Yoga has been a huge part of her life for the last 5 years, and the practice has helped her grow stronger, more flexible and fearless, both on and off the mat. Yoga inspires her to live each moment more mindfully and she wishes to instill those qualities within her students. She works with both children and adults with wide ranging skill levels in the various forms power Vinyasa, sculpt, and vin yoga. In class, she loves to combine creative sequencing, playfulness and a dose of inspiration to help you deepen your practice while creating strength and self-exploration. Bridgette Chrisco holds a B.F.A in Ballet from Texas Christian University.

Mariana holds her BFA in Ballet and a minor in Child Development from Texas Christian University. She received early training from Donna Patzius-Hill in St. Louis, Missouri where she performed with student company Midwest Ballet Theatre and attended such summer programs as American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Academy of Dance, Ballet West, IU Jacobs School of Music, and Nashville Ballet where she was offered a second company contract. During her time at TCU, Mariana had the opportunity to perform in a number of ballets, notably the Pas de Six from August Bournonville's Napoli and Jewels from Sleeping Beauty. Also, during her undergraduate experience, she developed her passion for both early childhood dance education and working with special populations through adaptive dance. Mariana is a recipient of an Undergraduate Professional Developments Grant for her work as a dance instructor at Cook Children’s Hospital and received additional training in this field at Boston Ballet. While pursuing her BFA, Mariana additionally achieved her comprehensive Pilates Teaching Certificate, culminating in 650 hours of practice. She incorporates her knowledge of anatomy and emphasis on functional, healthy movement patterns in her approach to teaching ballet.