Tori practically grew up at The Dance Academy (TDA). Tori a shy girl, began dancing at TDA at seven years old once or twice a week. Fast forward to the age of 17, when Tori danced at least 15 hours a week during her senior year. TDA became a second family to Tori as she grew in the art of dance by taking tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, theater, and tumbling. She also grew confidence as a young woman and strong team member of the TDA Dance Team.
You could say TDA has helped shape the life of this young woman.
Tori reminisces about a time she told The Dance Academy’s owner and lead dance teacher, Ms. Donnajean that she couldn’t do a certain step. She expected Ms. Donnajean to understand and give her another step, but instead she said “Well that’s too bad, because I think you can. Try again.” These lessons in persistence helped Tori develop into a confident and poised young woman.
Now a freshman at Saint Joseph’s University and a member of the Saint Joseph’s dance team, Tori finds herself pulling from the many lessons learned in the dance studio as well as out of the dance studio. Dance encouraged her to come out of her shell, and gave her a place where she was 100% welcome to fully be herself.
She has this to say to the dancers at TDA “You are all beautiful dancers … Never stop pushing yourselves, encouraging each other, or doing what you love to do… because dancing with TDA has made me happier than any award ever will,” Tori Burke.
Click on the album to view photos of Tori’s time at TDA.
