Staff

Melba Huber		Melba Huber is president of Melba's Inc., a world-class dance studio in McAllen, Texas, that houses four dance studios, two gyms, a snack bar and a dance supply store. She is the founder of McAllen Dance Theatre Company that performs every February at the McAllen Civic Center. 2007 represents 50 years in business in McAllen, Texas. Huber wrote Tap Talk for the New York Magazine Dance Pages/Dance and the Arts for ten years. After the magazine closed, Huber continued the column, renamed Tappin' In for Dancer Publication in 1998. The columns can be read on line www.melbasdance.com representing almost twenty years of dance history. She writes for the International Tap Association and was featured on their cover and named their first Tap Ambassador. Melba was on the cover of Dancer Magazine announcing the gift of the columns online to the dance world (www.melbasdance.com). She was assisted by a grant from the McAllen, Texas Cultural Arts Council. "It was important to me to write about tap and the many artists who played important roles in tap history,” Huber stated. “I wanted them to be honored while they are still alive, but I also wanted to include and encourage the new artist and no one was doing it." In 2006 Melba was honored by Savion Glover at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and by Tradition In Tap in New York in 2005. In 1995, Oklahoma City University presented Huber an award for over 50 years of contribution to the arts as a dance teacher. Huber was the first person outside of New York City to be presented the New York Flo-Bert Award in 1996 at Lincoln Center for "life achievement in improving the art and skill of the tap dancer." The Texas Senate recognized Huber in 1997 for contributions to dance by presenting her the Texas state flag. In 1998, she was presented the Savion Glover Award in St. Louis, Missouri. Among her many credits, Huber includes the National Health and Physical Education Association's Plaudit Award and she is a past president of the Texas Association Teachers of Dancing. She served on a four-member panel for Texas Dance History for Houston's Greater Tap Gathering. She received a member of the year award from the South Texas chapter of Dance Masters of America in 1989 and will receive her 50-year award from DMA in 2005. In 1999, she received the OCU Preservation of Our Heritage, American Dance Award, and in 2000, the Woman of Distinction Award by the Detroit Tap Festival. She has been listed in 2006 and 2007 Who’s Who in the World, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Women, and Who’s Who in Education. Huber often conducts dance history panels and interviews at dance festivals and workshops in New York for Tradition In Tap and at the St. Louis Tap Festival. Melba’s former students are everywhere. There are professions dancers, teachers, dance and gym owners and directors, and teachers using dance and gym in various professions. There are also many men and women who remember the ballroom classes in McAllen at Melba’s. Melba Huber is a conservator of American dance in the truest sense of the word.

Julie Doyle		Julie is the director of Melba’s School of Dancing and Gymnastics. She also serves as the preschool director and the artistic director and choreographer of McAllen Dance Theatre. She has been running advanced programs for 6 years with specialties in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz and musical theatre. She was a dance major at Oklahoma City University and has a bachelor of Arts and Science in English with honors. Julie has been a student and faculty member at Melba’s for 18 years. Her continuing education includes: member of the Texas Association Teachers of Dancing and the International Tap Association along with St. Louis Tap Festival, Tradition in Tap and New York classes.
Edwina Perez		Edwina is the assistant director of Melba's School of Dancing & Gymnastics and McAllen Dance Theater. She also serves as the director and choreographer of Developmental Jazz and Tap and McAllen Dance Theatre’s Junior Tap and Junior Jazz. Edwina has been a student and faculty member at Melba’s for 23 years. Her continuing education includes: St. Louis Tap Festival, New York classes and member of the Texas Association Teachers of Dancing and International Tap Association.
Victoria Chappel		Victoria has been a part of Melba's as a student and faculty member for the last 17 years and serves as the developmental tap director. Victoria was a featured dancer of Melba's McAllen Dance Theatre Company and danced many lead roles in several ballets. In 2005 she won "Best Tap Dancer" at the summer convention of Texas Association Teachers of Dancing. She currently assists and teaches ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and preschool dance. Victoria continues her dance education with workshops and master classes in New York and St. Louis. Victoria is currently a student at the University of Texas at Pan American.
Ashlee Hornbuckle		Ashlee has been a student at Melba's for 18 years and is returning as a faculty member. She instructs developmental ballet, beginner ballet, jazz and tap. Ashlee performed with Lone Star Ballet and was a member of "Texas" at Palo Duro Canyon. While teaching in Del Rio, Ashlee formed the Del Rio Council for the Arts. She was instrumental in bringing the Bolshoi Ballet to Del Rio to perform and give master classes to her students. Ashlee has attended Texas Association Teachers of Dancing and several master classes. She will serve as co-director of Melba's Preschool Gymnastics Program.
Alyssa Thomas		Alyssa is the director of hip hop at Melba's. She has been a student and faculty member for 6 years. She was a featured dancer in Melba’s McAllen Dance Theatre for jazz, hip hop and musical theatre. She served as the captain of McHi’s drill team and has studied dance abroad throughout Europe. She was awarded the best all around dancer and best choreographer at UDA competitions and was the runner up for best jazz dancer at the Texas Association of Teachers Dancing summer workshop. Alyssa currently attends the University of Texas Pan American where she is studying English.

STORE & SNACK BARRE STAFF

Sylvia Martinez		Sylvia Martinez is the retail manager at Melba’s. She has held this position for 31 years. Sylvia not only works in retail but is a vital asset to the dance management and show production at Melba’s into the 21st century. “She is smart, pleasant and creative. The children and parents rely on her and she has most of the answers. She is just great,” Melba said.
Delilah Alviar		Delilah Alviar has been a key member of the retail staff at Melba’s for nine 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. “She is always pleasant, and we love her creative talents and dependability,” Melba said.
Ernie Madero		Ernie Madero is best known for his “Ernie Burgers.” He has operated the "snack barre" at Melba’s for 16 years and keeps an eye on all the kids who wait for their parents. “We call him our night watchman as he sees that anyone leaving late gets to their cars safely,” Melba stated. “He helps us with everything and we couldn’t do without him.”