MELBA HUBER
OCTOBER 1927 - APRIL 2021
Melba Huber opened Melba’s Dance in 1958. Over the span of 65 years, it has become a world-class school that houses seven studios and the largest retail dance store in Rio Grande Valley. Melba taught generations of young dancers. Students of Melba Huber learned dance steps and life lessons. Melba expected her students to be gracious inside and outside the classroom. They were always dressed appropriately with the best of manners and always well-spoken. It was a way of life. They were Melba’s Girls.
Melba received many accolades in her lifetime. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry dedicated October 1st as Melba Huber Dance Teacher Day in Texas. The flag which was flown over the Capital on that day was gifted to Melba by Senator Eddie Lucio. In 2021, the City of McAllen dedicated May 9th as Melba Huber Dance Day. The president of the Borough of Manhattan dedicated May 25th as Melba Huber Day. Melba was the first person outside of New York to receive the Flo Bert award at the Lincoln Center. She was honored by Oklahoma City University on two occasions. OCU is considered to have the best dance training program in the world. Savion Glover, the world’s most famous tap dancer, honored Melba twice with awards in St. Louis and New Jersey.
Melba was often introduced in New York as “the most published tap writer in the world.” For 20 years she wrote a column for two major dance magazines. Her columns are now available at MelbasDance.com as a gift to the dance community. Melba served as the president of Texas Association Teachers of Dancing and as a board member for Dance Masters of America.
Melba was a conservator of American dance in the truest sense of the word. For the instructors at Melba’s Dance, her teaching continues on through them. She has left a footprint in the dance community that spans the globe. While she is greatly missed, her legacy continues through the staff at Melba’s Dance and their students.
Once a Melba’s Girl, always a Melba’s Girl.
JULIE DOYLE-REYES
DIRECTOR
Julie is on her 15th year as the Director of Melba’s Dance School. She has been part of the Melba’s family for 35 years. She also serves as the artistic director for McAllen Dance Theatre.
She has been in charge of advanced programs for 19 years with specialities in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, musical theatre and gymnastics. She was a dance major at Oklahoma City University where she was part of their American Spirit Company and selected for the international touring company. Julie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics. Her other certifications include: a 10 year member of the Texas Association of Teachers Dancing and the International Tap Association. She has received annual merit scholarships to tap festivals across the country.
Julie’s choreographic talents match Broadway levels in the advanced classes and she is equally skilled in the preschool levels that she loves. She has been invited as a guest teacher to host master classes at Oklahoma City University. Other works include choreographing musicals for both local high schools and theatre companies. Julie choreographed the children’s musicals “Annie” and “Babes in Toyland,” as well as adult summer theatre projects such as “Chicago” and “Pippin.” In addition, she has developed her own original Christmas productions and original ballet. Julie created and developed various community projects such as "Breakfast with Santa,” and choreographed the opening show for the McAllen Performing Arts Center.
Julie has enjoyed creating and implementing new programs at Melba’s such as toddler classes, adult dance and fitness, folklorico, musical theatre and competitive dance programs. Under her direction, Melba’s Dance has grown into a new and modern school with a staff that rivals any world-renowned institution. She believes that Melba’s Dance is more of a community than a school, and she continues to follow her dreams to make a positive difference in the lives of our children and adolescents through dance education.
MELBA’S STAFF
DELILAH ALVIAR has been a key member of the Melba’s dance family for over 21 years. She is the manager of the retail store at Melba’s Dance Shoppe and also serves as the lead merchandiser. In addition to retail, Delilah is the accounts administrator at the school, and her creative eye helps play a valuable role in costume and set design in both the February and May shows.
ANUSHI PARIKH BUXANI was professionally trained in Bharatanatyam by Sri. Padmini Ramachandran and Kathak by Sri. Padma Khanna. She has been performing for the past 30 years and instructing for 20 years. Her passion for dance, affection towards kids and love for teaching have been the driving forces behind her commitment in ensuring that each and every student showcases their talent. She is a graduate of Drexel University with degrees in Business Marketing and Psychology. Having lived and taught in multiple cities, Anushi has been able to perform with some of Bollywood’s biggest names, including Sonu Nigam, Dino Morea, Sunidhi Chauhan and Anup Jalota. Having moved to the RGV after marriage, Anushi wishes to instill the culture her parents enforced in her early years to the youth in our community through the art of dance. In intertwining the discipline of classical dance with the trends of today’s Bollywood pop culture, she is able to appeal to students of all ages, skill levels and backgrounds. In her spare time, Anushi enjoys dancing, reading, traveling, practicing yoga and spending time with her family and friends.
SAYLOR DONNELLY has been part of the Melba’s Family for 18 years and currently teaches adult ballet and junior company ballet classes at Melba’s Dance. She is trained in all styles of dance and served as the Principal dancer in ballets such as Paquita and Stars and Stripes. In additional to her teaching classes, Saylor serves as an assistant in a variety of dance styles with students of all ages. Saylor is currently studying biological science at UTRGV with hopes to attend pharmacy school upon graduation.
CASSANDRA “CASSIE” FEMAT has been on the Melba’s dance faculty for four years. Cassie currently teaches preschool ballet, jazz and hip hop at Melba’s as well as different styles in the developmental age groups. Cassie serves as a choreographer for Melba’s competition teams. Outside of Melba’s, she choreographs musicals for high schools and was nominated for best choreographer at the Palm Awards. When not dancing or choreographing, Cassie works for South Texas Health System.
MELBA’S STAFF
LAUREN FLORES is in her 10th year of teaching at Melba’s, with specialities in hip hop, jazz, lyrical and musical theatre. She serves as the head teacher and choreographer for all developmental and advanced hip hop as well as Melba’s Junior 1 Jazz Company. In addition, she’s a teacher for our competitive teams, serving as choreographer for group and soloist pieces. Raised in McAllen, she started training at the age of 14 with numerous accomplishments as a competitive dancer. After graduating high school, she traveled to NYC to train at the American Musical & Dramatic Academy for musical theatre. Lauren is certified in jazz through the Texas Association of Teachers in Dancing.
MARGARET LEAL is an alumna of Melba’s Dance and grew up dancing like a Melba’s girl for fifteen years. During her senior year at Melba’s, she was a recipient of the Louise Longoria Scholarship, as well as a principal dancer in the ballet “Paquita”. Margaret graduated as valedictorian of the inaugural class of 2015 at Juan Diego Academy. In 2019, Margaret graduated from Southwestern University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Music. During her time at Southwestern, she was a member Delta Delta Delta and Beta Beta Beta, a biology organization. Margaret served as music chair for Delta Delta Delta, and produced a musical theater piece as well as a step n’ stroll routine, which won first place at the step n’ stroll event. This is Margaret’s 4th year on Melba’s staff, and her 3rd year as a head teacher. Margaret has enjoyed every minute of teaching and hopes to continue to share her passion for dance with her students.
VERONICA LEAL has been a faculty member at Melba’s since 2017. Before, she danced as a student at Melba’s for over 10 years studying various dance styles. She specializes in jazz, lyrical and ballet. Veronica is an advanced jazz choreographer for McAllen Dance Theater’s Senior Company. Additionally, she is also a lyrical and jazz choreographer for Melba’s competitive teams. Veronica is now a recent graduate from The University of Texas at The Rio Grande Valley with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a certification in teaching. She worked with and was mentored by Rachel Castillo-Ruiz, the dance director at McAllen High School this past fall. She looks forward to continuing her love of dance through teaching and is excited for future endeavors.
CARMEN MEDINA SOLIS serves as an artist in residence with Melba’s Dance and has been apart of the Melba’s Dance faculty since 2010. Carmen specializes in ballet and trained under masters such as Nikita Talkin, Eric Gibson and Miriam Gonzalez. During her dance performance career, Carmen performed principal roles in ballets such as The Nutcracker, Gisselle, Vivandiere and Paquita. Carmen currently practices medicine as a Physician’s Assistant at Valley Medical Arts Clinic and also serves as a PA program preceptor for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
SENIOR COMPANY
ISABELLA BECHTOLD
DAKOTA BRANDT
KIYANA CASTILLO
ISABELLA CISNEROS
AVA CONTRERAS
SASCHA DIAZ LOPEZ
SOMER DONNELLY
JIADA GARZA
MELANIE GARZA
LAUREN GONGORA
MIA BOWEN
SOFIA GARZA
SIARAH GIBB
VERONICA GOMEZ
SENIOR COMPANY
LORELAI MARTINEZ
EDGAR GUAJARDO
JULIA MARTINEZ
ISABELLA ROBLES
MYA MARTINEZ
VANIA MORALES
GRACE MURRAY
ASHLEY SHAH
CAMILLE REYNOLDS
AVA RODRIGUEZ
LILLIAN SAMANIEGO
AUDRIS SHAH
ALITZEL VARGAS
ELISE VAUGHAN
JUNIOR COMPANY
SIENNA ABREGO
ABIGAIL ANZALDUA
SIMONNE CAVAZOS
DANIELA CHAPA
NATALIA CONCHA
ANA CRISTINA DAVILA FLORES
ALEXA DE LEON
MONSERRAT ELIZONDO
ISABELLA GARCIA
MIRANDA GOMEZ
VIOLET GUERRA
ELENA GUIZA
ZOE JEFFREY
CAMILA LOPEZ
YITZYA MARQUEZ
MARIA FERNANDA MONTEMAYOR
JUNIOR COMPANY
GIZELLE MOROLES
KENADY MURRAY
CAROLINA RIVERA
MIRANDA RIVERA
ISABELLA RODRIGUEZ
ISABELLA SCISM
LUCIANA SUSTAITA
SADIE TORRES
YASMIN TREVINO
SWAN LAKE
PROLOGUE
Taking a solitary walk by the lake, the young Princess Odette encounters the wicked Von Rothbart. Overcome with fear, she turns and runs in the hope of escaping his evil power. However, she is not quick enough, and Von Rothbart casts a spell on Odette, transforming her into a swan .
ACT I
Prince Seigfried is celebrating his birthday when it is interrupted by his mother, the Queen, who is concerned about her son and demands that he choose a bride at the royal ball the following evening. Seigfried is upset that he cannot marry for love and as he sees a flock of swans flying overhead in the evening, he grabs his crossbow and decides to go for a hunt.
Prince Seigfried
Princess Rothbart Odette
VILLAGE PEASANTS
Edgar Guajardo
Mia Bowen
Dakota Brandt
Camille Reynolds
Sienna Abrego, Abigail Anzaldua, Simonne Cavazos, Daniela Chapa, Natalia Concha, Ana Cristina Davila Flores, Alexa De Leon, Monserrat Elizondo, Isabella Garcia, Miranda Gomez, Violet Guerra, Elena Guiza, Zoe Jeffery, Camila Lopez. Yitzya Marquez, Maria Fernanda Montemayor, Gizelle Moroles, Kenady Murray, Kristin Ozuna, Carolina Rivera, Miranda Rivera, Isabella Rodriguez, Isabella Scism, Luciana Sustaita, Sadie Torres, Yasmin Trevino
Princess Princess Queen
ACT II
Kiyana Castillo
Alitzel Vargas
Margaret V. Leal
At the lakeside, the prince encounters a magnificent flock of swans. In awe, he aims his crossbow when suddenly one of the swans is transformed into a beautiful woman. It is Odette, Queen of the Swans. The prince is captivated by her soulful countenance and starts to approach her, but she becomes frightened and turns from him. When he assures her that he means no harm, Odette reveals to him that she and her companions have been placed under a spell by the wicked Von Rothbart. By day they are condemned to take the form of swans and only at night can they regain their human shapes. This spell can only be broken if a man promises his love and remains faithful to that vow. Siegfried at once declares his eternal devotion, but no sooner has he done so that Von Rothbart appears. When Siegfried seizes his crossbow and takes aim, Odette shields the evil enchanter, for if he should die the spell imprisoning her could never be broken. Von Rothbart escapes and Odette runs away followed by the prince.
SWAN MAIDENS
Sienna Abrego, Abigail Anzaldua, Isabella Bechtold, Mia Bowen, Kiyana Castillo, Simonne Cavazos, Daniela Chapa, Isabella Cisneros, Natalia Concha, Ava Contreras, Ana Cristina Davila Flores, Alexa De Leon, Perla De Leon, Sascha Diaz, Somer Donnelly, Monserrat Elizondo, Isabella Garcia, Sofia N Garza, Jiada Garza, Melanie Garza, Siarah Gibb, Miranda Gomez, Veronica Gomez, Lauren Gongora, Violet Guerra, Mia Guerra, Elena Guiza, Zoe Jeffery, Camila Lopez, Yitzya Marquez, Julia Martinez, Lorelai Martinez, Maria Fernanda Montemayor, Vania Morales, Gizelle Moroles, Kenady Murray, Kristin Ozuna, Isabella Resendez, Carolina Rivera, Miranda Rivera, Isabella Rodriguez, Ava Rodriguez, Lillian Samaniego, Isabella Scism, Ashley Shah, Audris Shah, Luciana Sustaita, Sadie Torres, Yasmin Trevino,Alitzel Vargas, Elise Vaughan
SWAN LAKE
DANCE OF THE LITTLE SWANS........................
SWAN DUET
ACT III
Sascha Diaz, Lorelai Martinez, Audris Shah, Alitzel Vargas
Isabella Cisneros, Perla De Leon ........................
The guests assemble for the great ball in which Prince Siegfried is to find his bride. The queen mother and the prince appear, as well as prospective fiancées (respectively Spanish and Neapolitan) but his thoughts remain with Odette. At the end of the dance, he informs his mother that he cannot marry any of them. At this moment trumpets sound the arrival of two uninvited guests. They are Von Rothbart and his daughter Odile, whom he has transformed into a semblance of Odette. Siegfried is enraptured thinking he has found Odette again.
Siegfried declares his love for Odile and his desire to marry her. Immediately the prince's mother expresses her approval, but Von Rothbart demands that the young man swear a formal oath. The prince innocently complies, and when he has done so, Von Rothbart and Odile mockingly reveal their true identities. Siegfried now sees the vision of the weeping Odette and understands his mistake. frantic, he flees the palace in search of his beloved.
PRINCESSES OF THE COURT
Isabella Bechtold, Mia Bowen, Kiyana Castillo, Isabella Cisneros, Ava Contreras, Perla De Leon, Sascha Diaz, Somer Donnelly, Jiada Garza, Melanie Garza, Sofia N. Garza, Siarah Gibb, Veronica Gomez, Lauren Gongora, Mia Guerra, Julia Martinez, Lorelai Martinez, Vania Morales, Isabella Resendez, Ava Rodriguez, Lillian Samaniego, Ashley Shah, Audris Shah, Alitzel Vargas, Elise Vaughan
Neopolitan Princess Spanish Princess Odile
ACT IV
Ava Rodriguez
Somer Donnelly
The swans are grieving for their queen. With Siegfried’s broken vow, Odette’s hopes for love and freedom have vanished. Distraught, the prince enters and explains to his beloved that he, too, was betrayed by the evil magician. He begs Odette’s forgiveness and explains that he could never love another. Odette understands and forgives him. Nevertheless, the fatal error condemns her to remain a swan. Instead she determines that she will die. Von Rothbart endeavors to drive Siegfried away and keep Odette for himself, but the lovers defy him. Odette flings herself into the lake and Siegfried follows. Siegfried’s and Odette’s steadfast love breaks the enchanter’s spell and Von Rothbart, too, collapses and dies. With the curse removed, the lovers’ spirits are freed. Their spirits take flight and are reunited for eternity.
ENTIRE CAST
Vania Morales ........................
SANDMAN
Sienna Abrego, Dakota Brandt, Kiyana Castillo, Simonne Cavazos, Isabella Cisneros, Ava Contreras, Perla De Leon, Sascha Diaz-Lopez, Sofia Garza, Siarah Gibb, Veronica Gomez, Lauren Gongora, Mia Guerra, Elle Hill, Julia Martinez, Lorelai Martinez, Vania Morales, Kristin Ozuna, Cora Resczenski, Ava Rodriguez, Audris Shah, Alitzel Vargas
CAN YOU KEEP UP?
Mallory Black, Ava Cantu, Tristin Carrales, Ella Contreras, Zarey Diaz, Natalia Espinoza, Caylee Femat, Brooke Garza, Jenny Gonzales, Lucia Gonzalez, Qianni Gonzalez, Hallie Hausman, Bianca Herrera, Kate Iglesias, Katherine Navarro, Gabriela Ortegon, Ellaryn Santos
SURVIVOR
Sienna Abrego, Abigail Anzaldua, Simonne Cavazos, Daniela Chapa, Natalia Concha, Alexa De Leon, Isabella Garcia, Miranda Gomez, Violet Guerra, Elena Guiza, Gizelle Moroles, Kristin Ozuna, Carolina Rivera, Karen Rivera, Miranda Rivera, Isabella Rodriguez, Isabella Scism, Sadie Torres, Yasmin Trevino
BOOGIE SHOES
Naissa Buxani, Natalie Delgado, Daleza Garcia, Olivia Herrera, Arabella Lumbreras, Natalia Martinez, Ella Moreno, Madison Peña, Ava Reyes
GOOD OLD DAYS
Dakota Brandt, Kiyana Castillo, Isabella Cisneros, Perla De Leon, Somer Donnelly, Sofia Garza, Veronica Gomez, Lauren Gongora, Edgar Guajardo, Mya Martinez, Vania Morales, Ava Rodriguez, Lillian Samaniego, Audris Shah, Alitzel Vargas, Elise Vaughan
FUEGO
Sofia Aguilar, Ximena Aguilera, Ariana Alonzo, Ava Alonzo, Giselle Bustamante, Olivia Castaneda, Olivia Chapa-Munoz, Chrysta Cron, Keili Gandara, Allie Garcia, Mila Garcia, Katelyn Gutierrez, Madison Haines, Camila Herrera, Annayeri Longoria, George Lumbreras, Isabella Martinez, Katelyn Ozuna, Makayla Perales, Aislinn Ramos, Autumn Reyes, Jocelyn Rodriguez, Adalynn Sigmon, Nalia Zapata
SWING WITH ME
Helena Alvarado, Tristin Carrales, Zarey Diaz, Natalia Espinoza, Caylee Femat, Emily Garza, Mia Star Gomez, Jenny Gonzales, Tomas Gonzalez, Hallie Hausman, Gabriela Lara, Alexandra Rivas, Ellaryn Santos
GET BIG
Abigail Anzaldua, Simonne Cavazos, Daniela Chapa, Natalia Concha, Alexa De Leon, IsabellaGarcia, Xienna Garza, Elle Hill, Zoë Jeffery, Gizelle Moroles, Kristin Ozuna, Carolina Rivera, Karen Rivera, Miranda Rivera, Isabella Rodriguez, Luciana Sustaita, Sadie Torres
ACT II
ACT II
KILL THE LIGHTS
Isabella Bechtold, Mia Bowen, Dakota Brandt, Kiyana Castillo, Isabella Cisneros, Ava Contreras, Sascha Diaz, Somer Donnelly, Jiada Garza, Sofia Garza, Siarah Gibb, Veronica Gomez, Lauren Gongora, Edgar Guajardo, Mia Guerra, Julia Martinez, Mya Martinez, Vania Morales, Grace Murray, Camille Reynolds, Ava Rodriguez, Lillian Samaniego, Audris Shah, Alitzel Vargas, Elise Vaughan
BOYFRIEND
Helena Alvarado, Camila Ball, Isabella Barba, Mallory Black, Andrea Cantu, Tristin Carrales, Olivia Castro, Ella Contreras, Leah De La Garza, Zarey Diaz, Natalia Espinoza, Caylee Femat, Madison Garcia, Mariana Garcia, Bianca Garza, Brooke Garza, Mia Star Gomez, Jenny Gonzales, Lucia Gonzalez, Hallie Hausman, Bianca Herrera, Gabriela Lara, Alondra Del Mar Lopez Flores, Zoe Montenegro, Katherine Murray, Katherine Navarro, Gabriela Ortegon, Eva Ortiz, Aleigha Reyes, Alessandra Reyes, Regina Reyes, Valentina Sandoval, Ellaryn Santos, Kara Suarez, Emma Tijerina, Carolina Villarreal
SECRET LOVE SONG
Abigail Anzaldua, Emma Grace Cantu, Simonne Cavazos, Natalia Concha, Alexa De Leon, Isabella Garcia, Violet Guerra, Elena Guiza, Yitzya Marquez, Gizelle Moroles, Kenady Murray, Kristin Ozuna, Carolina Rivera, Miranda Rivera, Isabella Rodriguez, Isabella Scism, Sadie Torres, Yasmin Trevino
GIRLS WANNA HAVE FUN
Amelia Garza, Zoë Gonzalez, Arianny Gutierrez, Juliette Gutierrez, Jourdyn Martinez, Riley Martinez
EVERYBODY
Paloma Almaguer, Isabella Barba, Kaylin Cantu, Ella Contreras, Mariana Garcia, Brooke Garza, Tori Gomez, Lucia Gonzalez, Bianca Herrera, Katherine Navarro, Gabriela Ortegon, Aleigha Reyes, Alessandra Reyes, Kara Suarez, Tatiana Tamez, Adriann Torres, Brianna Trigo, Carolina Villarreal
NONSTOP
Sienna Abrego, Abigail Anzaldua, Simonne Cavazos, Natalia Concha, Alexa De Leon, Xienna Garza, Miranda Gomez, Violet Guerra, Zoë Jeffery, Gizelle Moroles, Kenady Murray, Kristin Ozuna, Carolina Rivera, Miranda Rivera, Isabella Rodriguez, Isabella Scism, Luciana Sustaita, Sadie Torres
TITI ME PREGUNTO
Natali Aliseda, Mia Bowen, Dakota Brandt, Kiyana Castillo, Isabella Cisneros, Ava Contreras, Sascha Diaz, Somer Donnelly, Jiada Garza, Melanie Garza, Sofia Garza, Siarah Gibb, Veronica Gomez, Lauren Gongora, Edgar Guajardo, Mia Guerra, Julia Martinez, Lorelai Martinez, Mya Martinez, Vania Morales, Grace Murray, Camille Reynolds, Ava Rodriguez, Lillian Samaniego, Audris Shah, Alitzel Vargas, Elise Vaughan
