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Our Staff
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Melba Huber
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PRESIDENT
Melba Huber is president of Melba’s Inc, a world-class dance studio in McAllen, Texas that houses seven dance studios and a retail dancewear store. Melba’s opened in 1958. Melba is the founder of McAllen Dance Theatre that performs every February and in many local events.
Melba was the first person outside of New York to receive the prestigious Flo Bert Award at Lincoln Center. She has been honored by Oklahoma City University on two occasions and in October of 2011 presented a three-day workshop for the dance department. OCU is considered to have the best dance training in the world. The Texas Senate recognized Melba in 1997 and presented her the Texas state flag. In l998, she was presented the Savion Glover Award at the St. Louis Tap Festival and in 2006 Savion honored Melba at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Other honors are from Tradition In Tap, Dallas Arts Council, Detroit Festival, Plaudit Award, and Who’s Who in the World, America, American Women and Education.
Melba is often introduced in New York as “the most published writer of tap in the world.” For twenty years she wrote a tap column for two major dance magazines. Her columns are available for reading at MelbasDance.com. She served as president of The Texas Association Teachers of Dancing and board member of Dance Masters of America. She introduced the first competitive gymnastics in south Texas.
Melba’s former students are everywhere in various forms of dance, gymnastics, exercise, ballroom and performing on Broadway. Melba conducts panels on tap history every year in New York and St. Louis. Melba is a conservator of American dance in the truest sense of the word.
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Julie Doyle
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DIRECTOR
Julie is the director of Melba’s Dance School and has been a part of the Melba’s family for 25 years. She also serves as the artistic director and choreographer of McAllen Dance Theatre. She has been in charge of advanced programs for eight years with specialties in ballet, pointe, tap and jazz. She was a dance major at Oklahoma City University and has a Bachelor of Arts and Science in English with honors. Her continuing education includes: member of the Texas Association Teachers of Dancing and the International Tap Association. She receives scholarships annually to the St. Louis Tap Festival and to Tradition in Tap in New York. She also attends The Pulse On Tour workshops, where she takes her advanced dancers to study from today’s world-renowned choreographers. Her choreographic talents match Broadway levels in the advanced classes, and she is equally skilled in the preschool levels that she loves. Her most recent accomplishments include assisting and guest reaching tap classes at Oklahoma City University with Melba.
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Victoria Chappel
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DANCE STAFF
Victoria has been a part of Melba’s as a student and/or faculty member for the past 22 years. She is in charge of the developmental tap programs. She recently took over Junior I Jazz and Advanced Tap. Victoria can do it all and looks forward to professional development in St. Louis and New York every year, where she is often on scholarship. In 2009, she became a member of the Texas Association of Teachers of Dance. Currently, Victoria attends the University of Texas Pan American, majoring in Rehabilitation. Upon graduation, she plans to attend graduate school specializing in Pediatric Occupational Therapy. Her dream is to apply her talent by offering therapy services to children through dance.
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 Carmen Medina
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DANCE STAFF
Carmen Medina serves as the instructor and choreographer for McAllen Dance Theatre’s Senior and Junior Company ballet. Carmen has been dancing since the age of two. She has studied under many ballet masters such as Nikita Talkin, Eric Gibson, and Miriam Gonzalez. She has performed principal roles in classical ballets such as The Nutcracker, Giselle, Vivandiere and Paquita. Carmen earned an undergraduate degree in biology with minors in chemistry and dance, and then followed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. In 2008, she completed her Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies and is currently on staff at Valley Medical Arts Clinic. In addition, she continues her dance education with master classes in New York City and Houston.
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Cathie Eileen Gonzalez
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DANCE STAFF
Cathie Eileen Gonzalez is an instructor for Melba’s preschool classes and developmental tap classes. She also assists Senior Company dance classes and helps in choreography for advanced hip-hop. Cathie was dance captain for the NBA D-League Vipers’ dance team. In 2008, she auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and made it as finalist in training camp. Cathie has been a faculty member and/or student at Melba’s for 24 years.
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Myriam Ortegon
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DANCE STAFF
Myriam has been a part of Melba’s for 13 years. She was a featured dancer in Melba’s McAllen Dance Theatre Company for tap, jazz and hip-hop. She currently teaches hip-hop and jazz and assists in tap, jazz and preschool classes. Myriam continues to grow as a dancer by attending workshops and conventions such as The Pulse and the St. Louis Tap Festival. She is currently attending the University of Texas Pan American, where she is majoring in biology.
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Candice Trevino
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DANCE STAFF
Candice has been a part of Melba’s as a student and/or faculty member for 16 years and was a featured member of McAllen Dance Theatre. In high school, she was awarded UDA All-Star four consecutive years and was recruited to be a part of UDA staff her senior year. Candice serves as the choreographer and instructor of intermediate and Junior Company hip-hop, as well as Junior II Company jazz. Every year, she looks forward to attending professional conventions, such as The Pulse On Tour and tap festivals in St. Louis and New York. Candice is currently a student at the University of Texas Pan American, pursuing a degree in education.
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India Goldsmith
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India was a student and member of the Melba’s family for 15 years. She attended many TATD conventions, St. Louis Tap Festival and was a gymnastics assistant. India earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance with a minor in Business Administration from Texas A&M University. After college she became a part of Bryan College Station’s inaugural performance of the Nutcracker as a choreographer and performer. She also taught ballet and tap at Center Stage, and earned a teaching certificate for elementary education. India has now returned to teach dance, which she loves. She is pursuing a Masters of Elementary Education at UTPA. |
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Summer Flowers
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ASSISTANT
Summer attended Melba’s as a student and competed on the gymnastics team. Now she serves as the director of a new acting and theatre program at Melba’s. Summer has been in more than 30 productions and 25 student films. She also has directed 15 plays and eight student films. Summer attended Texas A&M University and the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. She holds a Bachelors in Theatre/TV/Film and a Fine Arts Degree from NYFA. She is also a certified teacher. Summer also assists in the preschool dance program at Melba’s.
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Nancy Rocha
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Nancy has a Bachelor’s Degree in exercise and sports science, and another in nutrition and foods. She recently completed her Master’s in kinesiology and currently teaches at the University of Texas Pan American. Nancy joined our team in 2004 when she began teaching Pilates classes for students and parents. Shortly thereafter, she became a gymnastics instructor at the youth level, and now she teaches at the preschool level. In the summer, she will teach Pilates and conditioning classes, as well as educate our students about nutrition, exercise and developing healthy habits. |
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Madeline Tupper
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Madeline Tupper has been at Melba’s for 16 years. She was a featured dancer and soloist for Melba’s Dance Theatre. In addition, she attended many workshops across the country, studying dance. Currently, Madeline assists ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop. She is currently at UTPA where she is pursuing a degree in accounting. |
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Alexandra Martinez
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Alexandra has been a part of Melba’s as a student and faculty member for eleven years. She was a member of Melba’s Dance Theatre’s Senior Company and was a featured dancer and soloist. She currently assists and teaches preschool ballet and tap classes. Alexandra attends the University of Texas Pan American studying speech pathology. |
MELBA'S RETAIL DANCE STORE STAFF
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Delilah Alviar
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Delilah Alviar has been a key member of the retail staff at Melba’s for 12 years. She has an excellent creative eye and serves as the merchandiser at Melba’s. Delilah’s other attributes include the expert fitting of dance attire and footwear. Delilah is now a tap student at Melba's! |
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Mary Janell Leos
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Mary Jannell Leos has been at Melba's for 8 years. She is a key member of the retail staff and is always available to help with any ongoing project. Her bilingual skills make her a great asset to Melba's. She is friendly, capable and extremely helpful to all the staff and students. Mary Jannell is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in business accounting from South Texas College. |
Ernie Madero
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Ernie Madero has been in charge of maintenance at Melba's for 20 years, and keeps an eye on all the kids who wait for their parents. He serves as the night watchman and sees that anyone leaving late gets to their cars safely. He helps with many things at the civic center and assists with stage set-up and floor management. |
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Mary Hernandez
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Mary Hernandez has been a member of the Melba’s staff for two years. She is always eager to help out with projects and is a terrific salesperson. Mary’s ability to speak Spanish helps answer questions for parents. She is always pleasant and is always wearing a smile. |
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