The Ballet Conservatory at Fort Worth Country Day

Children's Division - Studio A

List of 5 items.

Kindergarten (Ages 5-6 | Kindergarten)

Grade: Kindergarten
Day/Time: Monday, 4-4:45 p.m.
Location: Studio A

Classes/Tuition:
First Semester: 13 Classes - $260
Second Semester: 15 Classes - $300
Year: $560
Recital Fee: Spring Recital Only - $125
Ballet 1 (Ages 6-7 | Grade 1)

Grade: First
Day/Time: Tuesday, 4-4:45 p.m.
Location: Studio A

Classes/Tuition:
First Semester: 15 Classes - $300
Second Semester: 18 Classes - $360
Year: $660
Recital Fee: Spring Recital Only - $125
Ballet 2 (Ages 7-8 | Grade 2)

Grade: Second
Day/Time: Wednesday, 4-4:45 p.m.
Location: Studio A

Classes/Tuition:
First Semester: 15 Classes - $300
Second Semester: 18 Classes - $360
Year: $660
Recital Fee: Spring Recital Only - $125
Ballet 3 (Ages 8-9 | Grade 3)

Grade: Third
Day/Time: Thursday, 4-5 p.m.
Location: Studio A

Classes/Tuition:
First Semester: 15 Classes - $300
Second Semester: 18 Classes - $360
Year: $660
Recital Fee: Spring Recital Only - $125
Children's Division Dress Code

Level Class Days Color Leotard Brand
Kindergarten M Pink Bloch CL8262
Ballet 1 T Light Blue Bloch CL8262
Ballet 2 W Lavender Bloch CL8262
Ballet 3 TH Lavender Bloch CL8262

Girls will wear the selected leotard for their class with pink ballet shoes. Pink tights are not required until Parent Observation Days or for performances. Students will wear thin white socks with their ballet slippers. Hair must be in a bun or a secured ponytail.

Pre-Professional Division - Studio B

List of 3 items.

Advanced 1 (Ages 11-14)

Age: 11-14
Days/Times:
Monday & Wednesday, 6-7:30 p.m.
Friday, 5:30-7 p.m. Pointe
Saturday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Modern/Jazz
Location: Studio B

Classes/Tuition:
First Semester: 54 Classes - $648
Second Semester: 66 Classes - $792
Year: 120 Classes - $1,440
Recital Fee: Winter - $175
Recital Fee: Spring- $175
Advanced 2 (Ages 14 and Up)

Age: 14 and up
Days/Times:
Tuesday & Thursday, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, 9:30-11 a.m.
Saturday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Modern/Jazz
Location: Studio B

Classes/Tuition:
First Semester: 54 Classes - $648
Second Semester: 68 Classes - $816
Year: 122 Classes - $1,464

Days/Times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday (5 days per week)
Monday & Wednesday, 6-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, 9:30-11 a.m.
Saturday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Classes/Tuition:
First Semester : 84 Classes - $840
Second Semester: 100 Classes - $1,000
Year: 184 Classes - $1,840
Recital Fee: Winter - $175
Recital Fee: Spring- $175
Pre-Professional Division Dress Code
Level Class Days Color Leotard Brand
Advanced 1 M-W-F Burgundy
Bloch Leotard L5405
Mirella Wrap Skirt
Advanced 2 T-TH-S Black
Bloch L5405
MotionWear 2201 AD
Mirella Wrap Skirt
Students in the Student and Pre-Professional Divisions will wear their selected leotard and matching skirt with tights matching their skin tone. We prefer body wrappers tights. A45 for adult sizes and C45 for children’s sizes.
Ballet shoes can be canvas or leather and should match their tights. Hair must be secured in a bun.
Boys will wear black tights or black shorts with white t-shirt and white socks and white or black ballet shoes.
Attire is available at The Dance Shop at 2485 Forest Park Blvd. and Winners All Dancewear at 6500 Camp Bowie Blvd. Suite #160

2021-22 Class Schedule and Calendar

List of 2 items.

Class Times and Studio Locations

Studio A is located across from the theater.
Studio B is located between the two gymnasiums.
Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
4-4:45 p.m. KINDERGARTEN STUDIO A Bracken 5-6 p.m. INT 2 STUDIO A Beacham 6-7:30 p.m. INT 3 STUDIO A Rattliff 6-7:30 p.m. ADV 1 STUDIO B Corkery	4-4:45 p.m. BALLET 1 STUDIO A Bracken 5-6 p.m. INT 1 STUDIO A Corkery 5:30-7:30 p.m. ADV 2 STUDIO B Beacham	4-4:45 p.m. BALLET 2 STUDIO A E. Slawson 5-6 p.m. INT 2 STUDIO A Ordonez 6-7:30 p.m. ADV 1 STUDIO B L. Cheng 6-7:30 p.m. INT 3 STUDIO A Ordonez	4-5 p.m. BALLET 3 STUDIO A E. Slawson 5-6 p.m. INT 1 STUDIO A Corkery 5:30-7:30 p.m. ADV 2 STUDIO B C. Cheng	4:15-5:15 p.m. INT 3 POINTE STUDIO A C. Cheng 5:30-7 p.m. ADV 1 STUDIO B Corkery	9:30-11 a.m. ADV 2 STUDIO B Various 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. MODERN STUDIO B Rattliff

Calendar

Please note that the FWCD Ballet Conservatory follows the FWCD Calendar
and some changes may be made during the year.

August 30
First Semester Begins
September 6
Labor Day Holiday; No Ballet Classes
November 22-28
Thanksgiving Break Holiday; No Ballet Classes
December 5
Nutcracker (Student and Pre Prof Levels) 3 p.m.
December 11-17
Parent Observation (All Levels)
December 18-January 3
Winter Break Holiday. No Ballet Classes
January 4
Second Semester Begins
January 17
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday; No Ballet Classes
February 12
Winter Holiday. No Classes.
February 14-19
FWCD Musical; No Ballet Classes for K-Int. 3
February 21
Presidents Day; No Ballet Classes
March 14-19
Spring Break; No Ballet Classes
March 21
Classes Resume
May 14
Last Day of Classes
May 14
Recital Stage Rehearsals (All Levels)
May 15
Spring Ballet Recital (All Levels) 3 p.m.

Meet the Instructors

List of 9 items.

Carrie Cheng, Director
Bio
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. Cheng 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. She 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 and Tarrant County College and served on the Dance Council of North Texas Board of Directors. She was an instructor in ballet for Texas Ballet Theater School in Fort Worth from 2008-16 and is currently the Director of Ballet at Fort Worth Country Day. Cheng received a National Honor Roll’s Outstanding American Teachers Award in 2005-06 and teacher of the year for Texas Ballet Theater School for 2013-14 and 2014-15. In October 2017, she was awarded The Fine Arts Chair for Distinguished Teaching in the Arts at Fort Worth Country Day. 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.
Natalie Bracken
Bio
Natalie Bracken graduated with a BFA in Ballet and a BA in Political Science with Departmental Honors from Texas Christian University, where she was a Fine Arts Guild Scholarship Recipient. She went on to earn an MEd in Educational leadership through the University of North Texas. Bracken received her early training in Fort Worth from Gayle Corkery, Carrie Cheng, 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 Ballet Conservatory at FWCD and Dance Concept. Bracken performed professionally with Texas Dance Theatre and the Festival Ballet of North Texas and continues to enjoy performing in the DFW area as a freelance dancer and choreographer. Bracken is an “ABT” Certified Teacher who has successfully completed the ABT* Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 3 of the ABT* National Training Curriculum and holds additional certifications in Progressing Ballet Technique Level 3 and Alexia Flexibility Level 2. Bracken is also a Level 2 Google Certified Educator. In her free time, Bracken enjoys pursuing photography through her small business, NBrackenPhotography.
Li-Chou Cheng
Bio
Li-Chou Cheng started his professional training when he was 13 at the Beijing Dance Academy in China. At the age of 19, he joined the Beijing Central Ballet as a dancer and soloist and served as a Ballet Master and Rehearsal Director for the company. Since immigrating to the United States in 1980, Cheng has served as Assistant Professor at the University of Utah and Arizona State University. In 1988, Cheng was named the Principal teacher for both the Boston Ballet Company and School. Recently retired, 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, including 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 Beijing Dance Academy, 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.
Bridgette Chrisco
Bio

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.
Gayle Corkery
Bio

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.
Marie Harbour
Bio

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.
Candace Rattliff
Bio
Candace Rattliff, Dance Consultant in Ballet, Modern Dance, Jazz and Body Health, is a dance graduate from Texas Christian University with a BFA in Ballet and Modern Dance. She was awarded a TCU Fine Arts Guild Scholarship and received a Dallas Dance Council Scholarship to study at Alvin Ailey Summer Dance Intensive in New York City. While at TCU, she studied under Elizabeth Gillaspy, Nina Martin, Susan Douglas Roberts, Roma Flowers, and Li-Chou Cheng; performed works by Jane Weiner and Christian von Howard; and was the soloist in works by Susan Jaffe and Stephen Mills. After graduation, Rattliff was invited to join Jane Weiner’s Hope Stone Dance Company (Houston, Texas) and has enjoyed 10 seasons as a company member. As a freelance dancer, Rattliff has had the pleasure of working and performing with Amy Ell’s VAULT, Noblemotion, Leslie Skates, Erin Reck, Sandra Organ Solis, Laura Gutierrez, and Harrison Guy. She has also performed internationally in Ireland. Rattliff has served as a member of the modern dance faculty for Houston Ballet Academy, as well as the Modern, Jazz, & Body Health Consultant for HSPVA. Additionally, Rattliff has enjoyed 10 years of teaching in the greater Houston area as a freelance choreographer for high school drill teams and dance studios.
Christa Beacham
Bio
Christa Beacham is originally from Colorado. She became an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance (A.R.A.D) and passed many examinations through the Cecchetti Council of America (CCA). She also trained in London, England at The Royal Ballet School and Royal Academy of Dance. At the age of 16, Christa was a finalist at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) competition in New York and moved on to train on scholarship with The Washington School of Ballet. She began her professional career just after turning 18 and was a company member for Texas ballet Theater until 2007. Christa continues as a Principal Guest Artist; a favorite role performed would be “Sugar Plum Fairy: from the Nutcracker. In addition to her role as a faculty member, she enjoys conducting and teaching workshops at multiple studios over 16 years.
Emma Slawson
Bio
Emma Slawson is from Montgomery, AL and began her early training under Priscilla Crommelin-Ball with Montgomery Ballet and Alabama River Region Ballet (ARRB). Emma continued her education at Texas Christian University (TCU) and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. While dancing at TCU, Emma performed in original works by resident faculty Elizabeth Gillaspy and guest artists Francesca Harper and Suzanne Haag. Emma also danced in August Bournonville’s Napoli re-staged by Susan Dromisky as well as “Finger Fairy” in The Sleeping Beauty re-staged by Jessica Zeller and Keith Saunders. Additionally, Emma has worked as a Ballet teacher for ARRB as well as a Resident Advisor for Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.

The Ballet Conservatory

Children's Division - Studio A

List of 5 items.

Kindergarten (Ages 5-6 | Kindergarten)

Ballet 1 (Ages 6-7 | Grade 1)

Ballet 2 (Ages 7-8 | Grade 2)

Ballet 3 (Ages 8-9 | Grade 3)

Children's Division Dress Code

Student Division - Studio A

List of 4 items.

Intermediate 1 (Ages 9-10 | Grade 4)

Intermediate 2 (Ages 10-12 | Grade 5)

Intermediate 3 (Ages 11-12 | Grade 6)

Student Division Dress Code

List of 1 items.

Pre-Professional Division - Studio B

List of 3 items.

Advanced 1 (Ages 11-14)

Advanced 2 (Ages 14 and Up)

Pre-Professional Division Dress Code

List of 1 items.

2021-22 Class Schedule and Calendar

List of 2 items.

Class Times and Studio Locations

Calendar

Meet the Instructors

List of 9 items.

Carrie Cheng, Director

Natalie Bracken

Li-Chou Cheng

Bridgette Chrisco

Gayle Corkery

Marie Harbour

Candace Rattliff

Christa Beacham

Emma Slawson

List of 1 items.

Website Accessibility Statement

Level	Class Days	Color	Leotard Brand
Kindergarten	M	Pink	Bloch CL8262
Ballet 1	T	Light Blue	Bloch CL8262
Ballet 2	W	Lavender	Bloch CL8262
Ballet 3	TH	Lavender	Bloch CL8262

Level	Class Days	Color	Leotard Brand
Intermediate 1	T & TH	Red	Mirella Dance Dress M201C2
Intermediate 2	M-W-F	Black	Mirella Dance Dress M201C2
Intermediate 3	M-W-F	Royal Blue	Bloch Leotard L5405 Mirella Wrap Skirt

Level	Class Days	Color	Leotard Brand
Advanced 1	M-W-F	Burgundy	Bloch Leotard L5405 Mirella Wrap Skirt
Advanced 2	T-TH-S	Black	Bloch L5405 MotionWear 2201 AD Mirella Wrap Skirt