Carrie Cheng wins Bruce Wood Dance Excellence Award

On Saturday, October 5, FWCD Director of Ballet and Ballet Conservatory Director Carrie Cheng was selected as the inaugural winner of the Bruce Wood Dance Excellence Award for High School Educators in recognition of her dedication and exceptional contributions to the dance community. The award was presented at the Fort Worth Dance Festival at I.M. Terrell Performing Arts Center.

“It was such a wonderful surprise to learn I was selected as the High School Dance Educator for Bruce Wood Dance in the inaugural year of the award,” said Cheng. “I love teaching my students, and my ultimate goal is to hopefully pass along my love and passion for ballet. I am rewarded daily by the students' progress and joy of working together, but it makes it extra special to receive this award, knowing I am making a difference.” Cheng became the FWCD Ballet Conservatory Director in 2021. 

The Bruce Wood Dance Excellence Awards celebrate the extraordinary talents shaping the vibrant Dallas/Fort Worth dance community. These awards shine a spotlight on individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the art form during the 2023–24 dance season. Cheng was nominated by two of her students, Jade Thompson and Darcy Hood, from The FWCD Ballet Conservatory. 

Hood said she nominated Cheng because she is an important person in her life. “For me and many others, Ms. Cheng isn’t just our ballet teacher – she is a positive role model and friend,” Hood said. “She genuinely cares about how our day was and if we’re happy. Even if I didn’t do ballet, I would still wish to find someone like her in my life. She is so much more than just a ballet teacher. She is always so eager and excited to tell us about upcoming dance festivals, dance competitions or ballet performances to watch together, which we love to attend and are always so fun!

“She is also amazing at finding more 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,” Hood continued. “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! I was filled with so much joy when Ms. Cheng told me she won the Bruce Wood High School Educator Award because I've seen all the hard work she's put in year after year.”

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.  

“It is impossible to put into words how amazing Carrie Cheng is and how much she does for our ballet community and beyond,” said Paige Farris Chisholm ’87, former ballet mom and current field hockey head coach. “Our youngest daughter, Kaylee ’22, was part of the ballet program at FWCD, and it was life-changing for her. Ms. Cheng instilled a lifetime passion for ballet that has become an integral part of her life. Aside from ballet, Mrs. Cheng was a mentor and provided a daily support system that helped Kaylee and continues to help her today. We are beyond grateful for Mrs. Cheng, and I know I speak for so many others when I say this.”