Tori is now living in Seattle. She has danced with Splinter Dance Company, 3rd Shift Dance, Full Tilt, and Converge Dance Festival. She currently works as a freelance choreographer and teacher.

Tori began training at a young age. She diversified her training during her college years at The University of Minnesota. She worked alongside the Dance Department under Tina Wallum and Toni Pierce-Sands, while also becoming a part of the Twin Cities dance community. She was influenced by Hip Hope, a philanthropy based hip hop dance company under the direction of Joelle Fernandez, the breaking crew UBreak, and the contemporary dance company Breaking Boundaries, directed by Deborah Johnson. She also spent a year in Scotland dancing with and choreographing for the contemporary dance company Barrowland Ballet, while also working with the University of Stirling Dance Team performing and choreographing for their final showcase. After seeing the power of art and dance at work in these communities, she had the opportunity to create and grow her own company, F.U.S.E. Dance Collaboration which she sold in 2018.

Tori works under the principles of Love, Acceptance, and Integrity.

Education

University of Minnesota, BS, Kinesiology | 2010 - 2014 | Minneapolis, MN

Studied movement in partnership with the dance department. Research focused on biomechanics, exercise physiology, and coaching and exercise psychology. Studied under Nicole Lavoi of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport. Studied ballet and modern under the direction of Tina Wallum and Toni Pierce-Sands.

Experience

Choreographer, Dancer
Splinter Dance Company | 2018 - Present | Seattle, WA
Choreographed a piece questioning and confronting the gender binary. Splinter Dance Company uses dance and movement-theater to confront social justice issues, like the binary. The piece looked at the constricting nature of the gender binary and as the piece continued, the dancers began to express their gender as a spectrum. “Binary” debuted at Splinter Dance Company’s 360:1 If not now, when? At Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. 

Choreographer
Middleton High School | 2018-Present | Middleton, ID
Competitive Varsity High School Dance Team. Choreographed 2018 & 2020 competitive hip hop pieces.
2018: 2nd Place Hip Hop State Champions
2020: State Championships Canceled due to COVID-19

Choreographer, Instructor
Echo School of Dance, The Spot Dance Studio, Xpressions Dance, Dance Allegro Academy, Impulse Dance Academy, Dance Arts Academy | 2014-2019| Boise, Idaho and the surrounding area 
Worked as an instructor or guest choreographer for the studios above. Choreographed pieces for recreational recitals and competition teams. Styles taught include contemporary, jazz, tap, lyrical, breaking, hip hop, and ballet.

Owner, Artistic Director, Choreographer
F.U.S.E. Dance Collaboration | 2014 - 2018 | Boise, ID
F.U.S.E. is a multi-style art collaboration based on the principles of love, acceptance, and integrity, dedicated to making a difference in the communities served.
As the founder, owner, and artistic director, I worked to build community and recognition. Oversaw 30+ dancers and 8 choreographers, while also creating my own works for the company. Company sold and transferred in January of 2018. 
 
Instructor, Head Coach, Choreographer
Middleton High School | 2015 – 2017 | Middleton, ID
Competitive Varsity High School Dance Team. Coached young adults using Sport Psychology and Physiology Principles to empower them to be driven and confident student-athletes.

• 2015: Dance program created

• 2016: 2nd Place Military State Champions

• 2017: 2nd Place Hip Hop State Champions, 3rd Place Military State Champions

Choreographer
University of Idaho Dance Program Guest Artist | 2017 | Moscow, Idaho 
Selected to create a piece for the University of Idaho Dance Program Fall Performance. 

Choreographer
Knitting Factory Entertainment Resident Artist | 2017 | Boise, Idaho
Selected to create entertaining pieces to be performed as opening acts for concerts coming to Knitting Factory Boise. 

Choreographer
City of Meridian Artist | 2017 | Meridian, Idaho 
Selected to bring site-specific pieces to Meridian parks over the summer months for park events. 

Choreographer
Steven Nelson Emergency Fund Benefit | 2017  | Boise, Idaho 
Created a site-specific piece tied to the mission of the event. 

Choreographer
JUMP: Jack’s Urban Meeting Place Resident Artist | 2017 | Boise, Idaho
Set site specific choreography for JUMP Grand Opening and first Thursday’s arts events. 

Choreographer
Campfire Theatre Festival | 2017 | Boise, Idaho
Campfire Theatre Festival is a three day festival for theater and the performing arts. Selected to create an evening length showcase using dancers in the Boise community. 

Choreographer
Shades of Black Showcase | 2017 | Boise, Idaho 
Selected to create a piece focusing on Black leaders that have shaped American culture and influenced my life and the life of the dancers involved. 

Choreographer, Instructor
Dance for the Chance | 2017  | Boise, Idaho
Convention teacher and showcase choreographer for Boise State University’s event committee benefiting St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital. 

Head Choreographer
Stage Coach Theater | 2017  | Boise, Idaho
Choreographed “The Great American Trailer Park Musical,”  under the direction of Kelliey Chavez. The musical sold out during the one month run time at the Stage Coach Theater. 
Choreographer, Dancer
LyricalLashea | 2016-2017 | Boise, Idaho
Choreographed for LyricalLashea’s performances and music videos. 

Choreographer
Boise Pridefest | 2016 | Boise, Idaho
Headliner and choreographer for Pridefest 2016. 

Choreographer, Instructor
Dancing with the Stars Boise | 2015-2016 | Boise, Idaho
Selected as a professional to work with a local star and perform at an event benefiting cancer research. Choreographed a piece on dance 'professionals' consisting of a structured improvisation about sexual assault, the Me Too Movement, and consent. 
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Choreographer
Stampede for the Cure Fundraiser | 2015 | Boise, ID
Worked with 10 Rodeo Queens to create a site specific piece, where the only light came from their flashlights. Performed on the Rodeo dirt for donors and executives. Event was a fundraiser dedicated to helping Idaho women pay for their mammograms and fight breast cancer. 
 
Choreographer, Instructor
Stirling University Dance Society | 2014 | Stirling, Scotland, UK
Choreographed and danced as a part of the competitive Stiring University Dance Team. Performed hip hop, ballet/pointe, jazz, lyrical, tap, jazz funk, and contemporary. 2014 Choreography Award Recipient.
 
Choreographer
Barrowland Ballet Dance Company | 2012 | Stirling, Scotland, UK
Barrowland Ballet is one of Scotland’s most exciting and successful contemporary dance companies touring nationally and internationally. Performed a multi-generational piece under the direction of Natasha Gilmore. 
 
Choreographer, Instructor
U Break | 2010 – 2014 | Minneapolis, MN  
As part of the Breaking Crew at the University of Minnesota, choreographed, performed, and battled throughout the Minneapolis area. Instructed new members.