Director: Ms. Salmond
Halle Salmond began dancing at the age of eight in her hometown of Fort Worth, Texas at Frances Lea Dance Center. She quickly learned multiple styles including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, African Dance and Clogging; Leading her to advanced classes, company team, and becoming an assistant instructor!
In high school, she was a four-year member of the award-winning North Crowley Silver Stars. Where she held multiple leadership positions including Squad Leader, President and Captain. In college, Ms. Salmond helped to curate a student-led dance troupe that performs throughout the Greater Third Ward and at select University of Houston events. During her college summers, she would volunteer and teach at her home studio and local Houston dance studios. From there, she joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, where she choreographed and performed step and dance routines competitively and for sorority awareness throughout Texas, Louisiana and Georgia. She received her Bachelor's in Science in Social Work; and later obtained her teaching certifications in EC-6, ELA 4-8, and Dance 6-12. Ms. Salmond has been teaching for seven years, grades Pre-K through 8th grade, and currently teaches 7th grade Reading Enrichment.
Ms. Salmond still enjoys attending and instructing dance classes when she can, but has grown to love the behind the scenes work, that makes every practice and performance special! Being able to share her passion for dance and instill lifelong skills into her dancers has been a dream come true!
Director: Coach Roberson
Melissa Roberson began her love and pursuit of Dance Education 40 years ago as a child in a class at Boni’s Dance Studio in The Woodlands. Throughout her childhood, she took a variety of studio classes, which landed her numerous positions on teams, created opportunities that enriched her life with passion and purpose, and afforded her a career centered around her students.
Coach Roberson is an alumni of Conroe ISD where she attended elementary through high school. She began her Conroe ISD dance journey as a member of the York Junior High School Liberty Babes, where she served as Captain her 8th grade year. At Oak Ridge High School, Coach Roberson served the Liberty Belles Dance Team as Squad Leader her sophomore year, Lieutenant her junior year, and Colonel her senior year; leading the team to several national rankings, All American status, solo accolades, and other awards. She was an Honors student and active member in Student Council and Key Club, and was awarded Rotary Student of the Year, Who’s Who Among High School Students, and other student service awards and scholarships.
Coach Roberson is a proud member of the Fightin Texas Aggies! She holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Minor in Dance Education-2nd teaching field, and all level Physical Education certification. Whoop! She helped pave the way for future Aggie dancers as an inaugural member of the Dance Education Department. She was a dancer in the pre-professional dance company, EmSu Company, affiliated with the program. She also enjoyed her stint dancing and performing with the Aggie Dance Team. During Coach Roberson’s time at A&M, unique opportunities were presented that have helped shape her as an educator. She held the title of Lead Dance Instructor for MA Dance, where she led, choreographed and instructed camps at the national level during the summer, as well as adjudicated and worked the contest circuit in the Winter. She was a Staff Member/Instructor for the nationally televised Citrus Bowl halftime performances. Coach Roberson received one of the most memorable accolades of her college career as a backup dancer for Country Music Star, Clay Walker. She received many service awards during her tenure at A&M, including the 12th Man Award.
Coach Roberson has been teaching with Conroe ISD for close to two decades. Professional honors include Teacher of the Year nominee, Team Leader, TAHPERD member, Who’s Who of American Professionals, Texas Dance and Drill Team Educators’ Association (TDEA) member and convention assistant. She will be serving York as a Health and Teen Leadership Teacher, as well as coaching and directing Orange Pride Drill Team.
Above all else, is Coach Roberson’s family. She has been married to Ben, her high school sweetheart and also an Aggie, since 2006. Together, they have two boys, Brady (13) and Tristan (10)….and their new rescue, Rango! You can find them spending quality time together in the backyard on weekends or their Friday Family Fun nights with pizza and a movie curled up on the couch.
Let’s make it a great year!
