Today’s Welcome to Sanford Business of the Week is Dancer’s Workshop, a school which has been teaching young Sanford dancers for over 40 years! Dancer’s Workshop offers classes for boys and girls ages 2 – 18 in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Acrobatics, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop, as well as pre-school combination classes in Tap, Ballet, and Tumbling.
The instructors at Dancer’s Workshop take pride in sharing their experience and expertise with Lee County children of all ages and skill levels, offering both recreational and competitive programs. All of their instructors are certified through the Dance Masters of America organization, or have degrees in dance.
Tori Melby, the owner of Dancer’s Workshop, aims to make Sanford an even better place to grow up by giving the youth of Lee County a safe place to come together for a common goal. She believes that dance is a powerful tool for helping children learn and grow emotionally, socially, physically, and mentally.
“[Dance leads] … to greater levels of energy, co-ordination, flexibility, and muscle strength. Dance class constantly involves mathematics, with the counting of music, learning of complex rhythms and the continual use of patterns and forms. Dance involves both sides of the brain and is one of the greatest builders of brain connectors giving dance students an added advantage especially observed in their academic language studies. Dance instruction helps students learn to work independently and gain confidence and self-esteem. They also learn to work together as a group during class, standing in rows, forming circles or dancing with partners. The motivation and discipline that is developed will become lifelong tools and greatly assist in any career path chosen.”
Melby’s family has deep ties to Sanford. Her great grandfather was the first pharmacist at Lee Drug Store, her grandmother, Margaret Frasier, was the first female Deputy in the county, and her great aunt Mary Scott Gurley was the first head librarian of the Lee County Library. Tori’s mother opened Dancer’s Workshop in 1979 after moving back to her hometown of Sanford.
Students of Dancer’s Workshop have danced with the Rockettes, toured with Broadway shows such as “CATS,” and won many Miss Dance of NC awards. Former students have appeared on America’s Got Talent, and have even reached the top 10 on So You Think You Can Dance. Over 20 formers students of Dancer’s Workshop are currently teaching dance across the country.
The team at Dancer’s Workshop works to give back to the Sanford community through their support of charitable organizations such as the Spivey Stocking Project, Backpack Pals, and Lending Paws Pet Rescue.
You can learn more about Dancer’s Workshop by visiting their website, dancersworkshopnc.com. You can also follow Dancer’s Workshop on Facebook for updates on classes and events.
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