Tori Melby is the owner and artistic director
of the Dancer’s Workshop in Sanford N.C. where she has been
teaching for 25 years. She is also an instructor at the
Centre of Performing Arts in Graham N.C. where she is in
charge of the competition choreography for numerous
competitive groups.
Tori has studied throughout the United States with many
of the greats of the dance profession, but gives credit for
her dance success to her mother, Betty Newell, for giving
her the gift of creativity. “Not only was she an amazing
technician, and teacher, she also taught me to listen and
see music, not hear it!”
Her stage credits include, 42nd Street, Sound Of Music,
Oklahoma, Wizard of Oz, Annie, Guys and Dolls and Oliver to
name a few
Her film credits include Indiana Jones, Indiana Jones
Chronicles and Radio Land Murders all produced and directed
by George Lucas.
Tori’s students have competed at many regional and
national competitions throughout the United States and have
brought home numerous National honors including Petite and
Junior Miss Dance of America to N.C. She has also been named
top choreographer of the year by Dance Masters of America in
2004 and 2008. She has had the honor of having 27 N.C. Miss
Dance winners in various ages through out the past 19 years.
Some of her former students are currently dancing in the
Rockettes in NY, Las Vegas, and most recently, Noelle Marsh,
Top 10 on “So You Think You Can Dance”.
Many have continued their dance education in college
through dance teams at UNC Chapel Hill, ECU, NC State, OCU
and Elon University.
Tori as well as her staff are certified to teach by
Carolina Dance Masters, the N.C. Chapter of Dance Masters of
America. She has been on the board of Directors for the past
18 years and is currently serving as Past President after a
five year term as President.
