DIRECTORS

Head Director, Mrs. aSHLEY A. Williams

Mrs. Ashley Williams is a passionate educator, accomplished dancer, and dedicated coach with a lifelong love for dance and teaching. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas State University, earning a degree in Mathematics Education. During her time at Texas State, she was a four-year member of the World-Famous Texas State Strutters Dance Team, serving as a Lieutenant for two years. She was also a Pom Squad and Jazz Elite Performance Squad member each year, demonstrating her versatility and leadership. Ashley’s academic and athletic excellence earned her the Oak Farms Dairy Athletic Academic Achievement Award, membership in the Kappa Delta Pi Education Honors Society, and a nomination for Student Teacher of the Year. She also received the prestigious O.C. Haley Scholarship.

Ashley’s passion for dance began at a young age, inspired by attending Leander High School Blue Belle clinics. She continued to pursue her love for the art, graduating with honors from Vista Ridge High School, where she was a four-year member of the Star Steppers Varsity Dance Team and served as Company Leader. Prior to that, she attended Leander Middle School, where she was a 2-year member and Tigerette Lieutenant.

Her performance experience spans national and international stages, including the Mariner of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship, numerous San Antonio Spurs halftime shows, and various showcases across the United States. Ashley is an active member of the Texas Dance Teachers Association, National Dance Coaches Association, and National Dance Educators Organization. She also serves as a staff member for ShowMakers of America, where she travels across Texas to train middle school and high school dance teams, in addition to directing dance competitions statewide.

Currently, Ashley is an educator at Leander High School, where she teaches dance. She is Google Certified and a Highly Qualified Mathematics Educator for the state of Texas. She remains committed to professional growth, consistently training with renowned choreographers and bringing fresh innovations to the dance world.

Assistant Director, MRs. Lupe Sommer

Mrs. Sommer is a dedicated dance educator who brings a wealth of experience in performance, leadership, and choreography. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a minor in Education. During her time at Texas Tech, she was an active member of the university’s prestigious dance program, performing in annual productions of DanceTech and the Fall Dance Festival. Her talent and creativity earned her the opportunity to choreograph for the Fall Dance Festival during her junior year.

Beyond performance, Mrs. Sommer was deeply involved in Chi Tau Epsilon, an honor society dedicated to service within the Texas Tech dance program. She held several leadership roles, serving as Secretary, Vice President, and eventually President, demonstrating her commitment to both the arts and her community.

Before attending Texas Tech, Mrs. Sommer was a student at Smithson Valley High School, where she was a dedicated member of the Silver Spurs Dance Team. As a Senior Lieutenant and Elite Team member, she honed her leadership and choreography skills, igniting her passion for dance education and high school dance directing.

Now, as an Assistant Director, Mrs. Sommer is committed to fostering a positive and inspiring environment where dancers can grow in both skill and confidence. She is excited to continue sharing her love for dance and leadership with the next generation of performers.