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, Ms. Lauren Simpson

Ms. Simpson is a dedicated dance educator with a passion for leadership, choreography, and student growth. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and an emphasis in Dance Education. During her time at UT, she was a member of the UT Dance Team, competing at NDA Collegiate Nationals in the Hip Hop division and finalist in the D1A Jazz category. She was also a member of the Dance Repertory Theatre Company, where she performed works by master guest artists and Fulbright scholars, further deepening her love for meaning-making through movement.

Ms. Simpson grew up in Pflugerville, Texas, and graduated from Weiss High School, where she was a four year member and two year captain of the Scarlets Dance Team. Alongside drill team, she trained competitively as a studio dancer for 12 years. Her experiences in both studio and drill team environments inspired her passion for dance education and the impact dance programs can have on students.

Throughout college, Ms. Simpson taught dancers of various ages and skill levels through studio instruction, summer camps and choreography opportunities. She currently works with Crowdpleasers as a teaching staff member and freelance choreographer for middle and high school dance teams.

Ms. Simpson is thrilled to contribute to the legacy and excellence of the Leander Dance Program while fostering confidence, artistry, discipline, and a love for dance within her students.