For Alexander Hall, dance is more than movement. It is a part of who he is.
“Dance is like breathing. I have to do it to live,” Hall said. “I can’t see my life without dance.”
Now, Hall is sharing that lifelong passion with a new generation of dancers at Gilbert Willie, Sr. Elementary, where the newly launched Arts and Sciences Academy is opening doors for students to explore their creativity. The academy is part of the district’s initiative to provide families with more educational choices and give students opportunities to discover their talents.
For Hall, the position feels like a natural next step in a life devoted to dance.
Originally from Philadelphia, Hall began formal dance training in high school at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, studying ballet, modern and jazz. He continued his education at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance.
He later opened his own dance studio in 2014, spending the next decade sharing his love of dance with others. During that time, he also taught social studies during the day, balancing his work in education with his passion for the performing arts.
In 2024, Hall moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for a change of scenery and to be closer to family. After joining the Terrell Independent School District as a social studies teacher, he found an opportunity that brought his two worlds together when the district announced the Arts and Sciences Academy at Gilbert Willie, Sr. Elementary last fall.
The dance instructor position was the perfect fit.
Now, Hall is preparing his students for a milestone moment: their own production of The Nutcracker, scheduled for Dec. 16. Students auditioned before a panel of seven judges and have been rehearsing since the last week of September.
For Hall, choosing the holiday classic was intentional.
“I wanted to choose something that would become a tradition,” he said. “I wanted to connect with a show that makes Christmas special.”
For the young dancers, the experience is already making a lasting impression.
Third-grader Kyrie Garner, who plays both a soldier and the godfather, was thrilled to earn a role. Fifth-grader Adaline Ramirez, performing as an Arabian coffee ballerina and part of the snowflake ensemble, is discovering dance for the first time.
“It has been a positive experience, and I have learned so much,” Ramirez said.
Fifth-grader Zoey Gaines, who has danced since she was little, sees dance as a way to build confidence and express herself. First-graders Mayra Mendez and Jackson Thornhill are also embracing the experience. Mendez has become a leader in class, often taking the front row as classmates look to her for guidance.
For Thornhill, the joy is simple.
“Dance makes me feel happy,” he said.
As opening night approaches, Hall knows the students are feeling the pressure. But he also recognizes what the performance represents: the beginning of something bigger than one show.
“This is our formal introduction to the community to what we hope will be a beautiful tradition,” he said.
The performance of The Nutcracker will take place Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the small auditorium at the high school. Admission is free.