Cheng Honored with Inaugural Bruce Wood Dance Excellence Award

When Carrie Cheng steps into FWCD’s ballet studio, she brings more than technique – she brings inspiration. On October 5, 2024, the longtime Director of Ballet and the Program Director for the Ballet Conservatory (since 2021) at Fort Worth Country Day (formerly the Gail Corkery School of Ballet) was named the inaugural winner of the Bruce Wood Dance Excellence Award for High School Educators, recognizing her profound impact on young dancers.

“This honor is so well deserved. Carrie is an amazing teacher, mentor, choreographer and director,” said Director of Fine Arts Lindy Heath. “Her leadership is second to none, and our dance students flourish in her classes. Her knowledge of the professional world and her connections to other artists and opportunities strengthen our students' experiences. FWCD is so lucky to have her.”

Cheng was nominated by Ballet Conservatory students Jade Thompson and Darcy Hood. “Ms. Cheng isn’t just our ballet teacher—she’s a mentor and friend,” Hood shared. “She is amazing at finding performance opportunities for me in the Fort Worth area so I can get as much experience and exposure before I go off to join a ballet company. From age 9 to currently my senior year, she truly has done the best job coaching me and sharing her experiences of when she danced professionally to help me feel ready and confident for when I hopefully pursue my dream of dancing professionally.”

The Bruce Wood Dance Excellence Awards celebrate those who elevate the Dallas/Fort Worth dance community. For Cheng, the honor is deeply personal. “I love teaching my students, and my ultimate goal is to pass along my passion for ballet,” she said. “Knowing I’m making a difference makes this award extra special.”

Cheng has been teaching ballet at FWCD for over 25 years, touching the lives of so many who have come through the ballet studio. Not only does she make an impact on her students, she makes a difference in the lives of the parents of her dancers. Former ballet mom and current FWCD PE Teacher and Coach Paige Farris Chisholm ’87 described Cheng’s impact as impossible to put into words and credited her with instilling a lifelong love of dance in her daughter, Kaylee Chisholm ’22. “Mrs. Cheng was a mentor and provided a daily support system that helped Kaylee and continues to help her today,” Paige said. “We are beyond grateful for Mrs. Cheng, and I know I speak for so many others when I say this.”