Testimonials |
Over the past decade I have collaborated with Starbelly on several productions, providing original recorded music for shows and performing in videos. House of Secrets is the first opportunity I’ve had to directly experience the conception, development, and creation of a show. I came away transformed and deeply impressed. Tori King led us in somatic exercise, reflective writing, and cooperative/collaborative choreography so that we might explore the challenging subject matter that lay at the heart of this production. These creative sessions were focused and fruitful providing a foundation of movement, narrative, and sound upon which the final production was constructed. The depth of the work we achieved and the willingness of the participants to follow Tori through this process is a testament to her theoretical grounding, openness, and professionalism. Her insight and hard work that went into this project is evident in the final production. I am proud to have my music in House of Secrets and grateful to have participated in its development.
Erik Messal, MEd 2022
Songwriter/Producer
Erik Messal Music
www.erikmessal.com
Erik Messal, MEd 2022
Songwriter/Producer
Erik Messal Music
www.erikmessal.com
Tori King is an extraordinary entertainer and has a natural talent for connecting with the audience and making them feel like they are the superstars. Her dancing is vivacious yet graceful, emotionally moving, yet full of fun and folly, folkloric yet modern. A truest beautiful dancer.
Tori's high level of creativity, innovation and skill at communicating makes her a vital asset for any show or event. Her choreography combines the magic of line and form, emotional expression, and story telling to create truest stunning art. Plus she is incredibly fun to work with, and can pull out dancers true voice, courage and essence while building their confidence to bring out the best in them. Her pieces and shows are an unforgettable- that people can’t get enough of!
As a teacher Tori is a kind, assertive and enthusiastic. She makes every student feel important and capable, as she imparts with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Everyone has so much fun, they forget that they are working so hard!
Cecilia Rinn, 2021
Studio Owner and Artistic Director for the Starbelly Dancers
www.starbellyschoolofdance.com
Tori's high level of creativity, innovation and skill at communicating makes her a vital asset for any show or event. Her choreography combines the magic of line and form, emotional expression, and story telling to create truest stunning art. Plus she is incredibly fun to work with, and can pull out dancers true voice, courage and essence while building their confidence to bring out the best in them. Her pieces and shows are an unforgettable- that people can’t get enough of!
As a teacher Tori is a kind, assertive and enthusiastic. She makes every student feel important and capable, as she imparts with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Everyone has so much fun, they forget that they are working so hard!
Cecilia Rinn, 2021
Studio Owner and Artistic Director for the Starbelly Dancers
www.starbellyschoolofdance.com
I can't say say enough great things about Tori! As a homeschool mother, I am always looking for ways to expose my children to the diverse cultures that exist within our beautiful world. When studying Northern Africa, I reached out to Tori for a short clip of movement specific to Morocco, and she exceeded my expectations. She produced a 20-minute video that included fun facts, new vocabulary, and traditional dances. My kids, and I, were engaged the whole time! Our study of Morocco is by far our most memorable to date, all because Tori brought this rich country alive for us. - Tanesha (Cue the ululations)
Tanesha Payne, 2021
https://www.taneshapayne.com/
Tanesha Payne, 2021
https://www.taneshapayne.com/
Tori is an amazingly talented, expressive artist who goes above-and-beyond to bring dance into the lives of kids in our community. I work with Tori at Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). BBBS is a one-to-one mentoring program, pairing volunteers (Bigs) from the community with children (Littles) in our programs. I oversee the School Site Program, which also provides a specialty mentoring program for refugee students.
I knew that outside of work, Tori provided dance lessons to children in addition to the myriad of other artistic hats she wears (and quite fashionably, I must say). For our refugee students, we held an end of year International Potluck for refugee Littles and their Bigs to celebrate their heritage and culture. I approached Tori to see if she would be willing to donate belly-dance lessons for the event. “OF COURSE!”
On the day of the event, homemade food was provided by Bigs representing a cultural tradition in their family and/or to honor their Littles. Tori even contributed a curry dish. The students who attended the event were from Turkey, Iraq, Somalia, the Congo, and Thailand. When we surprised the group with belly-dance lessons, some kids excitedly bolted up off the floor, other seemed shy and unsure, our volunteers looked excited but nervous. Admittedly, I was a little unsure how it was going to go…
Enter Tori: boisterous, beautiful, with scarves flowing, moving captivatingly to middle eastern music with finger cymbals striking and chiming. Tori’s smile beamed as she declared: “We are going to move and have fun today!” The kids were absolutely mesmerized.
Tori had a way of creating a mood, an experience, and a safe space for everyone to feel comfortable enough to get up, move, be silly, and learn different ways to move their bodies. “Now I’m going to show you how to transform your arms into slow…moving…snakes.” Cheers filled the room as twenty pairs of snakes wriggled in the air.
I was impressed with the way Tori engaged the students, encouraged them, making them each feel empowered and special. Tori delivered an unforgettable experience that galvanized students, volunteers, and staff from all backgrounds and walks-of-life through her enthusiasm, talent, charm, and artistry. The event was two years ago; the students are still talking about it.
Cami Hill, 2021
School Site Coordinator
Big Brothers Big Sisters of SW Idaho
I knew that outside of work, Tori provided dance lessons to children in addition to the myriad of other artistic hats she wears (and quite fashionably, I must say). For our refugee students, we held an end of year International Potluck for refugee Littles and their Bigs to celebrate their heritage and culture. I approached Tori to see if she would be willing to donate belly-dance lessons for the event. “OF COURSE!”
On the day of the event, homemade food was provided by Bigs representing a cultural tradition in their family and/or to honor their Littles. Tori even contributed a curry dish. The students who attended the event were from Turkey, Iraq, Somalia, the Congo, and Thailand. When we surprised the group with belly-dance lessons, some kids excitedly bolted up off the floor, other seemed shy and unsure, our volunteers looked excited but nervous. Admittedly, I was a little unsure how it was going to go…
Enter Tori: boisterous, beautiful, with scarves flowing, moving captivatingly to middle eastern music with finger cymbals striking and chiming. Tori’s smile beamed as she declared: “We are going to move and have fun today!” The kids were absolutely mesmerized.
Tori had a way of creating a mood, an experience, and a safe space for everyone to feel comfortable enough to get up, move, be silly, and learn different ways to move their bodies. “Now I’m going to show you how to transform your arms into slow…moving…snakes.” Cheers filled the room as twenty pairs of snakes wriggled in the air.
I was impressed with the way Tori engaged the students, encouraged them, making them each feel empowered and special. Tori delivered an unforgettable experience that galvanized students, volunteers, and staff from all backgrounds and walks-of-life through her enthusiasm, talent, charm, and artistry. The event was two years ago; the students are still talking about it.
Cami Hill, 2021
School Site Coordinator
Big Brothers Big Sisters of SW Idaho
As someone who turned to dance for the physical benefits and later became a professional, I needed a lot of guidance with crucial elements of performing, most notably expression and intention in dance. Tori's breakdowns of concepts, movement explorations for choreography, and warmup exercises for our professional troupe played a crucial role in my own growth and understanding of stage performing, meaningful choreographic choices, and even creative filming techniques. Tori's ability to breakdown movements, concepts, and explore beautiful alternatives with different dance bodies has helped me grow as a professional performing artist and become a better soloist as well as group dancer.
Cassandra Joan, 2021
Professional Belly Dance Artist with The Starbelly Dancers
https://cassandrajoandance.wixsite.com/
Cassandra Joan, 2021
Professional Belly Dance Artist with The Starbelly Dancers
https://cassandrajoandance.wixsite.com/
Tori held a virtual dance class for Big Brothers Big Sisters as an introduction to folkloric dance. I had never taken an online class like this and was skeptic but it was a blast. She had such a professional setup that I could easily see her model the moves and I understood exactly what she was describing. She included everyone by giving individual feedback and made sure that teenager or adult, everyone was engaging and learning. The hour flew by and I realized at the end how much fun I had while getting a great workout. I was excited to go home to show my husband what I had learned. I would highly recommend her classes.
Julie Bayard, 2021
Women in STEM Coordinator
Big Brothers Big Sisters of SW Idaho
Julie Bayard, 2021
Women in STEM Coordinator
Big Brothers Big Sisters of SW Idaho
Thank you so much for yesterday ['s makeup workshop]. It was so much fun. I have to tell you that for the last 2 years, I've been getting an IPSY bag (Totally slipped my mind yesterday in the class) filled with so many things I didn't know how to use. Except lipstick. I am a lipstick fiend. And a good mascara. That is usually my limit. After that, I look like a clown. Or so I thought. Until you showed the way....I went into my bathroom and gathered all of my cast aside Ipsy stuff and it is a treasure trove of all the things I need. I've done my makeup 3 times so far. I am going to do it every day until the performance (which I am a little nervous about) I just wanted to reach out to you and say how much fun it was and how much I appreciate you. You are lovely, inside and out.
Noreen Sterbenk Wernsing, 2021
Student at Starbelly School of Dance
Noreen Sterbenk Wernsing, 2021
Student at Starbelly School of Dance
I started studying the art of Bellydance late in life and have a strong background in dance.
Over my lifetime I’ve studied many different styles of dance and was an extension student for years at the Philadelphia College of The Performing Arts.
For the past 4 years while studying with Cecilia Rinn at the Starbelly School of Dance, I’ve had the opportunity to take seminars and classes taught by Tori King.
I’d like to begin by saying that Tori is an extraordinary and beautiful dancer. Her achievement in the artform of Bellydance is evident, but her grace in movement and emotional depth are supported by the fact that she is a classically trained ballet dancer.
I can say with conviction that as my teacher she has brought much to my dance experience.
Tori's teaching style is such that she has a way of expecting a lot from her students while being kind, upbeat and affirming.
Whenever I study with her, she makes me want to reach and do better because I know my efforts will be noted and appreciated.
I truly enjoy her teaching style.
I am a dancer who, on occasion, needs very specific communication and help in breaking down a dance move or combination, and the clarity with which she can describe what she intends for me to do is wonderful and key to my having a positive dance experience and learning.
I’ve always come away from her seminars with renewed enthusiasm for what I hope to accomplish in dance.
I’m frequently impressed by the depth of story that Tori can contribute while discussing the origins of various dance styles from seemingly obscure parts of the world.
She is curious and knowledgeable; those are great qualities in a teacher.
Jaki Katz Ashford, 2021
Member of Starbelly Company Troupe
https://www.jakikatz.com/
Over my lifetime I’ve studied many different styles of dance and was an extension student for years at the Philadelphia College of The Performing Arts.
For the past 4 years while studying with Cecilia Rinn at the Starbelly School of Dance, I’ve had the opportunity to take seminars and classes taught by Tori King.
I’d like to begin by saying that Tori is an extraordinary and beautiful dancer. Her achievement in the artform of Bellydance is evident, but her grace in movement and emotional depth are supported by the fact that she is a classically trained ballet dancer.
I can say with conviction that as my teacher she has brought much to my dance experience.
Tori's teaching style is such that she has a way of expecting a lot from her students while being kind, upbeat and affirming.
Whenever I study with her, she makes me want to reach and do better because I know my efforts will be noted and appreciated.
I truly enjoy her teaching style.
I am a dancer who, on occasion, needs very specific communication and help in breaking down a dance move or combination, and the clarity with which she can describe what she intends for me to do is wonderful and key to my having a positive dance experience and learning.
I’ve always come away from her seminars with renewed enthusiasm for what I hope to accomplish in dance.
I’m frequently impressed by the depth of story that Tori can contribute while discussing the origins of various dance styles from seemingly obscure parts of the world.
She is curious and knowledgeable; those are great qualities in a teacher.
Jaki Katz Ashford, 2021
Member of Starbelly Company Troupe
https://www.jakikatz.com/