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50+ Years
experience
Your Premier Dance School in McAllen, TX
Melba's has been training dancers and producing leaders since 1958. Founded by the late Melba Huber, a renowned figure in dance education, our school offers comprehensive instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, lyrical, and folklorico. With the largest facility in South Texas spanning 20,000 square feet and featuring seven studios, we provide a professional environment for students of all ages. Our highly skilled staff includes certified instructors with decades of combined experience in dance education and performance. We emphasize technical excellence, artistic expression, and character development through dance.

Our alumni have achieved success in various dance disciplines, Broadway performances, and competitive gymnastics. The school maintains a full-service dancewear shop and hosts annual performances that contribute to the cultural vibrancy of McAllen. Our legacy continues through three generations of students, including the grandchildren of our original dancers. We remain committed to fostering creativity, discipline, and community through the art of dance.
Services
Ballet Classes Tap Dance Jazz Instruction Hip Hop Workshops Competitive Dance Teams Adult Dance Classes Folklorico Training Bollywood Dance Dancewear Shop McAllen Dance Theatre
Details
  • Year established: 1958
Highlights and features
  • We offer 11 levels of ballet instruction from beginner to advanced pointe
  • Our staff includes certified instructors with decades of dance education experience
  • We maintain the largest dance facility in South Texas at 20,000 square feet
  • Our competitive dance teams compete in jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and tap
  • We provide dance instruction for three generations of local families
What people say
Professional instruction Welcoming environment Excellent performance opportunities Structured classes Character development
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Services
Ballet Classes
We offer 11 levels of ballet instruction from early developmental classes to advanced pointe work. Our curriculum emphasizes proper technique, body alignment, and classical repertoire. Students perform in annual productions of classical ballets like Paquita and Stars and Stripes.
Tap Dance
Our tap program teaches rhythm tap, improvisation, and musical theatre tap. Students learn from certified instructors using Jason Samuels oxfords for advanced levels. Classes develop coordination, musical timing, and percussive skills.
Competitive Dance Teams
We field competitive teams in jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and tap. Our choreographers prepare group and soloist pieces for competitions. Teams include developmental and advanced levels with specialized coaching.
Adult Dance Classes
We provide dance classes for adults in tap, ballet, hip hop, flamenco, and belly dance. These classes focus on fitness, technique improvement, and artistic expression for non-professional dancers.
McAllen Dance Theatre
Our performing company presents annual shows featuring classical ballet excerpts, jazz, and tap. The company has performed for 50 years, including February productions at the McAllen Performing Arts Center.
People
Melba Huber
Founder
Founded Melba's Dance in 1958 and established McAllen Dance Theatre. Received the Flo Bert Award at Lincoln Center and multiple honors for dance education. Wrote a tap column for major dance magazines for 20 years.
Rebekah Cantu
Director
Director of Melba's with a BA in Dance from Belhaven University. Former member of Dance Ministry Ensemble and recipient of dance scholarships. Teaches ballet and specializes in body alignment and injury prevention.
Lauren Flores
Hip-Hop Instructor
Teaches hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, and musical theatre since 2013. Head teacher for hip-hop and choreographer for competition teams. Certified in jazz through Texas Association Teachers of Dancing.
Susan Tristan
Ballet Director
Director of developmental ballet programs since 2015. Instructor and choreographer for Junior and Senior Company Ballet. Certified in ballet through Texas Association Teachers of Dancing.
Veronica Leal
Choreographer
Faculty member since 2017 with BA in Dance from UTRGV. Specializes in jazz, lyrical, and ballet. Choreographer for McAllen Dance Theater's Senior Company and competition teams.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We offer ballet (11 levels), tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, lyrical, folklorico, Bollywood, flamenco, and belly dance classes for all ages.
Do you have competitive dance teams?
Yes, we have competitive teams in jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and tap with specialized coaching for group and solo performances.
What are your class size policies?
Classes have flexible sizes with adjustments made based on instructor availability. Preschool classes maintain smaller student-to-teacher ratios.
Do you offer adult dance classes?
Yes, we provide adult classes in tap, ballet, hip hop, flamenco, and belly dance for recreational and fitness purposes.
What performance opportunities exist?
Students participate in annual recitals at McAllen Performing Arts Center and McAllen Dance Theatre productions featuring classical and contemporary works.
What is your dress code policy?
Specific dress codes apply by class type including leotards, tights, and appropriate footwear. Individual instructors may have additional requirements.
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