About the Directors
Tori Frandsen is originally from West Jordan, Utah. She has been dancing for over 26 years and has been teaching for over 14 years. She has been the drill team advisor at Carbon High for the past 5 years.
Tori was a dance instructor at the College of Eastern Utah for 5 years where she taught ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern, and improvisation. She has also taught aerobics and Tai Chi classes for the college. While at CEU, she was an assistant director for Ballet Repertory Ensemble and choreographed many pieces for their concerts as well as performed.
Tori attended Weber State while on a dance scholarship and was a company member of Orchesis Dance Theatre. While there, she was able to perform with the professional dance company and associate with other professionals in the dance field.
Tori has also been a dance teacher at X'pressions dance studio in Midvale, Utah. She taught young dancers the proper technique in tap and ballet and choreographed routines for recitals and competitions.
Tori attended CEU and was a member of Ballet Repertory Ensemble as well as a Songleader on the Cheerleading squad. While in high school, Tori was on the Dance Company and also a cheerleader.
Tori has had the opportunity to perform not only in Utah, but also throughout the United States. Some include: New York, Colorado, Nevada, and also the United Nations Building. Tori has had many classes from professionals in the dance field. She has taken classes from the Alvin Alley dance studio in New York as well as Martha Graham's studio in New York, been to many dance conventions, and taken many master classes.
Tori loves portraying her love of dance and new ideas to all her dance students.
Melissa Labrum
Melissa Labrum is originally from Taylorsville, Utah. She has been dancing for 16 years, and has been teaching for the last two years.
Melissa was a two year member of the CEU Eagle Dancers. She also had the opportunity to be an assistant coach for the Eagle Dancers.
During her college dancing career she was able to take part of many dance classes and camps throughout Utah. While in college, she studied jazz, ballet, hip-hop, and contemporary dance. Melissa also had the opportunity to cheoreograph many dances for the Eagle Dancers. While in high school, Melissa was a member of the dance company and a nice year dance member of Colette's Dance Studio.
She has been able to dance at the competition level at many venues. Melissa's performing experience includes: Stadium of Fire, Red Hot Extravaganza, Tuacahn Theatres, USA Dance Camps, and many team, duet, and solo competitions.
Melissa received her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from Utah State University, and is currently a Carbon School District Educator.
Melissa enjoys teaching others the language, rhythm, and technique of dance.
Rachel Allen
Rachel Allen was born and raised in Price, Utah. She has been dancing for 20+ years and has spent the last 5 years teaching and choreographing.
Rachel has been teaching for the last 4 years at the College of Eastern Utah as an adjunct instructor. She also spent a year as a teaching assistant to the director of the dance department at CEU. She taught many classes including ballet, pointe, jazz, pilates, partnering, and children's classes during her time at CEU.
For the last 2 years, Rachel has been the asssistant director of Ballet Repertory Ensemble. This has allowed her to participate in every aspect of the performance process including auditions, rehearsals, choreography, and even performing herself.
While in high school Rachel was a member of the cheerleading squad and was able to attend UCA camp as well as state competitions. She also participated in Patti Pinedo's dance studio, Linda Johnston's School of Dance, and the CEU dance department while in high school. Rachel graduated as co-valedictorian from CEU in 2004 and with an Associate of Science degree. While attending CEU she was a member of the Eagle Dancer drill team and Ballet Repertory Ensemble. In 2007 Rachel also completed the LPN nursing program at CEU and received her license as an LPN.
Rachel has been able to study many dance forms and had the opportunity to take master classes as well. The variety of dance forms includes jazz, hip hop, ballet, pointe, African modern, improvisation, musical theatre, and creative movement. She has competed in state and national level in both cheer and dance in places like Las Vegas, Disneyland, Colorado, and throughout Utah.
Directors in Action
