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Our Directors

Director: Chesney Garza

      Chesney Garza graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelors of Science in Dance. She began her dance training at the age of two at Carolyn Ehman's Dance Academy studying all genres of dance.  Chesney is a Ball High School Alumni and was a four-year Tornette.  She was Social Officer Vice President, Jr, Lieutenant and Colonel. Throughout her college years, she committed to giving back to her Galveston community.  She coached cheer for Gulf Coast Premier Football League, stage managed at Island ETC (east-end theatre company) and taught dance classes at Carolyn Ehman's Dance Academy.  

      While at SFA, Chesney was heavily involved in student engagement. Her passion was with Student Activities Association where she was both the Special Events Coordinator and the President of the organization. She received nominations for Student Leader of the Year and The SFA Way Award. She also received the Steve Westbrook award for outstanding leadership in SAA.

      In college, she continued her dance career with the dance department at SFA studying jazz, modern, tap, improvisation, ballet dance history and world dance. While also taking dance classes she took secondary education classes which allowed her to experience the classrooms of Lufkin ISD and Nacogdoches ISD where she deepened her love for teaching.

     She has been around this organization and community for most of her life. She is a Tornette alumni and was a former Tornette Colonel. Not only is she the Tornette director but, she is head of the fine arts dance department and she continues to help with the theatre arts department in her favorite district event of the year, 'All District Musical. She also enjoys helping oversee TUFFY, our wonderful Ball High School mascot. 2023-2024 will be her fourth year as the Tornette Director and she can't wait for many more years to come!

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Assistant Director: Kryston Schilhab

Kryssy Schilhab graduated from Florida State University with a BS in Education.

Just moved to Galveston with her husband Jeff.

Has 2 daughters, Alex and Madi.

Teaching dance for over 20 years in Texas.

Started dancing when she was 3 and became a professional dancer at the age of 15 when she was hired to dance at Six Flags, Astroworld in the Bugs Bunny Follies.

In high school won Miss Drill Team Texas, then moved to Chicago to finish her dancing career at The Chicago Academy for the Performing Arts where she studied musical theater and dance.

Choreographer and costume designer.

Favorite memory as a teacher is when her dance team was invited to perform in the Super Bowl 51 Halftime Show with Lady Gaga.

Excited to be teaching dance at Central Middle School and working with the Tornettes.

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