Lake Travis Cavalette Directors

Cavalette Director, Abigail Payne, is entering her 4th year as the Director of the Cavalettes. She previously taught at Weatherford High School, Ninth Grade Center, and Tison Middle School in Weatherford, Texas. She was the assistant director for the Weatherford Blue Belles for 3 years. She taught dance classes from 7th grade to 12th grade. She Directed the JV dance team, JV Jazz and Middle school dance team, Allstars. Mrs. Payne worked for American Dance and Drill Team for over 5 years.  She taught teams from all over the state and teams from Mississippi, Kansas and New Mexico.  In addition to teaching camps, she has announced dance competitions and judged for various competitions.  Mrs. Payne is a native Texan, growing up in Corsicana. As a student, she played volleyball and golf as well as being a member of the dance/drill team, the Calicos.

After high school, Mrs. Payne attended Tyler Junior College where she was a member of the famous Apache Belles Dance Team. She graduated with an Associate's Degree from Tyler Junior College.  She then moved on to Texas State University to pursue a degree in Dance. While at Texas State, she was a member of the Orchesis Dance Company and served as president.  She fulfilled her student teaching responsibilities with the dance teams at Canyon High School and Smithson Vally High School. Mrs. Payne graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas State University with a Bachelors of Science in Dance and a minor in Theater Arts.

She is married to Dustin Payne who is currently teaching at Lake Travis Middle School and coaching boys football, basketball, track, and golf.  They are both blessed to be in Lake Travis and excited for the 30th Anniversary of the Team and District.

Click here to go to Ms. Payne's teacher website.

Assistant Director, Mrs. Erika Garrett, has a rich past with the Cavalettes. Erika was a member of the Cavalette line from 1996-1998, serving as a lieutenant her Senior year. She grew up in the Lake Travis area, attending Lake Travis Elementary, Lake Travis Middle School, and Lake Travis High School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Texas A&M University, and will soon complete her Masters in Educational Psychology and graduate certificate in Behavioral Analysis, both from A&M. Erika has taught Special Education for seven years - 1 year with the Richardson ISD, 3 years at Lakeway Elementary and three years at Serene Hills Elementary School with LTISD.

Mrs. Garrett is excited to be entering her fourth year as an assistant to Mrs. Payne, while also fulfilling her duties as a teacher at Serene Hills. She is thrilled to be participating in the traditions that continue more than a decade after her days as a Cavalette!

Click here to go to Ms. Garrett's teacher website.

This is the second year Ms. Christine Bartosh had been the Assistant Cavalette Director. Christine is a native Austinite. She graduated from Westlake High School where she was a member of the Westlake Star Steppers and Hyline dance teams. Christine attended Stephen F. Austin State University. While there she was a member for the SFA Repertory Dance Company. She finished her student teaching at Westwood High School and graduated Cum Laude in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education and a minor in Kinesiology. For the past two years Christine has worked as a long term substitute (2 weeks to a semester) for Dance Directors in Elkins High School, Cypress-Springs High School, Travis High School, Stratford High School and Klein Collins High School, all in the Houston area. Christine is thrilled to be back in Austin and looks forward to an exciting 2011-2012 season with the Cavalettes.

Click here to go to Ms. Bartosh's teacher website.

For Comments or suggestions concerning this website, contact info@laketraviscavalettes.com
For all other inquiries, contact Ms. Payne