Dance Faculty

Kate Walker

Dance Conservatory Director / Modern / Dance Wellness / Integration of Abilities / Portfolio / Internships / PE

Kate Walker graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington and an MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Argosy University. She has performed and had choreographic works presented around the country. She has been featured in Dance Studio Life, Dance Spirit and Dance Teacher magazines for her experience as both a teacher and dancer. In the summers, she serves on faculty at the American Dance Festival. Kate joined the Dance Faculty at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in 2008 and became Dance Department Coordinator in 2014.

katwalker@dallasisd.org | 972-925-1226 | Room 050

Avery Alexander

Modern / Jazz

avalexaner@dallasisd.org | Room 050

Avery Alexander is a graduate of Booker T. Washington HSPVA and earned her BFA in Dance Performance with minors in Arts Management and Arts Entrepreneurship from Southern Methodist University. Her performance credits include Norwegian Cruise Lines, B. Moore Dance, Jubilee Theatre, and venues like Bass Hall, Winspear Opera House, and The Joyce Theater. She has performed works by choreographers such as Robert Battle, Jessica Lang, and Dwight Rhoden. Avery has enjoyed teaching various dance styles to youth and adults across the DFW area for the past seven years.

Sierra Jones

Modern / Ballet / Composition I, II

siejones@dallasisd.org | Room 050

Sierra Noelle Jones (she/her), a Maryland native, is a multifaceted artist and arts leader. She profoundly contributes to the performing arts through dancing, education, advocacy, choreography, and leadership. Sierra is deeply committed to transparency, integrity, and ethics, prioritizing these values to inspire compassion, duty of care, and excellence among artists and arts organizations alike. Her teaching philosophy is firmly rooted in maintaining both technical mastery and artistic integrity. Sierra's rigorous training began at institutions like Donna’s Dance A Company, The Dance Institute of Washington, Baltimore School for the Arts, and The Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Pre-Professional Residency Program. She is an honors graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University where she earned a Bachelors of Fine Art in Dance & Choreography. Her professional career launched with Dallas Black Dance Theatre, followed by a debut with Houston Grand Opera. She boasts an extensive list of collaborations with major artistic organizations, including Broadway Dallas, The Dallas Opera, AT&T Performing Arts Center, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Sierra has also performed and taught nationally and internationally. She is a recent graduate of the Business Council for the Arts' Leadership Arts Institute (LAI) and a proud member of both Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). Sierra is a proven leader. She served three years on the Auxiliary Board for the AT&T Performing Arts Center, including a term as Board Chair. Sierra is now thrilled to join the Dance Conservatory Faculty at Booker T. Washington HSPVA, bringing her wealth of experience and dedication to the next generation.

Ruben Gerding

Ballet / Dance History / Dance & Media / PE

Rubén Gerding received his MFA in Classical & Contemporary Dance from Texas Christian University and his BFA in Ballet Performance from the University of Oklahoma. Rubén has danced for Eugene Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater, the Bruce Wood Dance Project, Ballet Concerto and Avant Chamber Ballet. From 2017-2021 he was an Assistant Professor of Dance at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO. He was a ballet consultant teacher at Booker T from 2010-2014 and is happy to return as a faculty member this year.

rgerding@dallasisd.org | Room 050

Christal Post

Composition III, IV / Ballet / Modern / Non Varsity Rep

cpost@dallasisd.org | Room 050

Christal Post is a seasoned dance educator whose training began at age nine under Tanju and Pat Tuzer, performing iconic ballets such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Don Quixote. She attended elite summer intensives with Joffrey Ballet, Kirov Ballet, and the School of American Ballet, later earning her BFA in Dance Performance from SMU, studying under renowned instructors across ballet, jazz, and modern techniques. Christal joined Bruce Wood Dance Dallas after college and then made a move to Chicago where she trained at Lou Conte Dance Studio, and performed throughout the city. Transitioning to teaching, she has led programs from beginners to advanced dancers, ultimately directing the Dance Magnet at Lakeview Centennial HS since 2012, where she built a comprehensive program blending concert dance artistry with kinesiology-based training. In 2023, she earned a BS in Kinesielogy from Concordia University to be able to expand her knowledge on injury prevention for young dancers. Known for her compelling choreography, technical expertise, and passion for inspiring the next generation of dancers, Christal looks forward to continuing her love of molding young dancers into professionals.

Zane Unger

Assistant Director / Ballet / Modern / Composition / Beginning Rep / Tap / Jazz

Zane Unger, a native of Dallas, Texas, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from The Juilliard School in New York City. Zane Unger is a 2017 Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts alumni. Zane worked internationally in Germany at Saarländisches Staatstheater under the direction of Stijn Celis. Here he performed works by Marco Goecke, Richard Siegal, Marioenrico D’Angelo, and Stijn Celis. Zane is looking forward to beginning his tenure at BTWHSPVA, where he will teach various dance techniques and movement styles.

zunger@dallasisd.org | 972-925-1255 | Room 050