The Ballet Conservatory at Fort Worth Country Day

Children's Division - Studio A

List of 6 items.

Junior Kindergarten (Ages 4-5 | Junior Kindergarten)

Grade: Junior Kindergarten
Day/Time: Friday, 3:45-4:30 p.m.
Location: Studio A

Classes/Tuition:
First Semester (13 Classes): $260
Second Semester (19 Classes and Recital)
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 (16 Classes and Recital)
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 (19 Classes and Recital)
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 (19 Classes and Recital)
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 (19 Classes and Recital)
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, 6-7:30 p.m. Pointe/Variations
Saturday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Modern/Jazz
Location: Studio B

Classes/Tuition:
First Semester (54 Classes and Recital) $823
Second Semester (68 Classes and Recital)
Advanced 2 (Ages 14 and Up)

Age: 14 and up
Days/Times:
Tuesday & Thursday, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, 9:30-11:00 a.m. Ballet Class +26
Saturday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Modern/Jazz/Pilates
Location: Studio B

Classes/Tuition:
First Semester (54 Classes and Recital): $823
Second Semester (70 Classes and Recital)
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 and Recital): $1,015
Second Semester (104 Classes and Recital)
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

2022-23 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 Ordonez 6-7:30 p.m. INT 3 STUDIO A Rattliff 6-7:30 p.m. ADV 1 STUDIO B Cheng	4-4:45 p.m. BALLET 1 STUDIO A Bracken 5-6 p.m. INT 1 STUDIO A Blessing 5:30-7:30 p.m. ADV 2 STUDIO B L. Cheng	4-4:45 p.m. BALLET 2 STUDIO A Blessing 5-6 p.m. INT 2 STUDIO A C. Cheng 6-7:30 p.m. ADV 1 STUDIO B Warren 6-7:30 p.m. INT 3 STUDIO A Rattliff	4-5 p.m. BALLET 3 STUDIO A Blessing 5-6 p.m. INT 1 STUDIO A Blessing 5:30-7:30 p.m. ADV 2 STUDIO B C. Cheng	3:45-4:30 p.m. JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN STUDIO A Blessing 4:30-5:30 p.m. INT 3 POINTE STUDIO A S. Warren 6:00-7:30 p.m. ADV 1 STUDIO B S. Warren	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 29
First Semester Begins
September 5
Labor Day Holiday; No Ballet Classes
October 10
Fall Break: No Ballet Classes
November 21-26
Thanksgiving Break Holiday; No Ballet Classes
December 10 & 11
Nutcracker (Student and Pre Prof-Levels only)
December 12-16
Parent Observation (All Levels)
December 17-January 3
Winter Break Holiday. No Ballet Classes
January 4
Second Semester Begins
January 16
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday; No Ballet Classes
February 13-19
FWCD Musical; No Ballet Classes for K-Int. 3
February 20
Presidents Day; No Ballet Classes
March 13-18
Spring Break; No Ballet Classes
March 20
Classes Resume
April 7
Spring Holiday; No Ballet Classes
May 19
Last Day of Classes
May 19
Recital Stage Rehearsals (All Levels)
May 20 & 21
Spring Ballet Recital (All Levels) 7 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Meet the Instructors

List of 8 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.
Mariana Blessing
Bio
Mariana Blessing 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 Bouronville'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.
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.
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.
Merideth Tullous
Bio
Merideth Tullous is a Texas native and attended Texas Christian University, graduating with a BFA in Ballet. Merideth had the privilege of dancing in works by choreographers such as Fernando Bujones, Li Chou Cheng, Dr. Keitha Manning, and Elizabeth Gillaspy. Merideth spent summers training with companies such as Ballet Austin and The Joffrey Ballet School.

Upon graduating, Merideth moved to New York City where she began working at Ballet Tech under the direction of famous dancer and choreographer Eliot Feld. Merideth served as a Ballet Teacher, Program Coordinator, and Audition Selector for their city scholarship program for 7 years.

Merideth and her family moved back to Texas in 2012 where she began work with Texas Ballet Theater under Artistic Director Ben Stevenson, O.B.E. During her tenure, Merideth held many positions with the ballet including teaching. She served as Director of Schools where she oversaw the Fort Worth and Dallas campuses, summer intensives, professional training program, school performances, curriculum, and community engagement programming. Prior to becoming Director, Merideth served as the CityDance Program Manager where she redesigned the CityDance Outreach Program. With the help of wonderful staff and teachers, Merideth helped CityDance become a sustainable, fully funded outreach program that introduces the art of dance to thousands of public-school children and non-profits throughout DFW.

In 2017, Merideth took a step back from her leadership position to focus on her young family. Merideth continues to teach at Texas Ballet Theater and other studios throughout DFW. She is honored to be a new teacher at The Ballet Conservatory at Fort Worth Country Day.

“The skills that dancers learn translate far beyond the studio walls,” says Merideth. "Ballet teaches discipline, patience, and enhances attributes such as self-motivation and self-confidence. I look forward to getting to know the students and their families as we all share the joy of dance.”

In addition to teaching, Merideth also is an award-winning children’s book author and works in a local school.
Sara Warren
Bio
Sara Warren began ballet when she was 8 years old at Riverside Ballet Arts in southern California. After her family moved to Texas in 2008 she continued her training with Texas Ballet Theater until graduating in 2015. After graduating Sara joined BalletMet as a trainee for the 2015-2016 season. She then joined Charlotte Ballet as an apprentice from 2016-2018 where some of her favorite roles were: Corps de Ballet in George Balanchine's Rubies, Little Red Riding Hood in Sleeping Beauty, Rite of Spring set by Peter Chu and Diamonds from George Balanchine's Sleeping Beauty. She also enjoys choreographing and while at Charlotte Ballet was given the opportunity to have her choreography performed. Sara has been teaching ballet since she was 16 years old. In her free time she enjoys bouldering, kayaking and any other outdoor activities.

The Ballet Conservatory

Children's Division - Studio A

List of 6 items.

Junior Kindergarten (Ages 4-5 | Junior Kindergarten)

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 5 items.

Intermediate 1 (Ages 9-10 | Grades 4-5)

Intermediate 2 (Ages 10-12 | Grade 5-6)

Intermediate 3 (Ages 11-12 | Grade 6-8)

Pre pointe/pointe (Ages 11+)

Student Division Dress Code

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.

2022-23 Class Schedule and Calendar

List of 2 items.

Class Times and Studio Locations

Calendar

Meet the Instructors

List of 8 items.

Carrie Cheng, Director

Mariana Blessing

Natalie Bracken

Li-Chou Cheng

Marie Harbour

Candace Rattliff

Merideth Tullous

Sara Warren

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