Goblins up to mischief
Labyrinth 2010
Staff Bios
Mary Grady Norkus
Mary Grady Norris click image for full view
Mary grew up dancing in Raleigh, NC under the direction of Betty Emmanuel at the Emmanuel-Kovach School of Dance. She graduated from the University of NC at Greensboro with a BFA in Dance and a BA in Journalism. In 1981 after a year of dancing in New York, Mary returned to NC and began teaching at Dance Space with her sister Noel Grady Brown. She performed with Carolina Dancers, New Performing Dance Company, and Easy Moving Dance Company. Mary and Melody joined forces to open Dancentre in 1991. Mary teaches creative movement, ballet and contemporary dance. In addition to her work at Dancentre, Mary teaches movement and physical education at Durham Academy Middle School. She is active in choreographing for their drama and chorus productions. Mary was recently elected “Community Dance Educator” for 2004-2005. She plans to keep dancing, teaching and choreographing until someone asks her to stop.
Melody Eggen
Meldoy Eggen click image for full view
Melody began her dance training with Jane Whitsett at the age of 12 in Joplin, Missouri as an attempt to civilize and make a lady of her. She graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia with a BGS in Dance, Music, Art, and Drama for the Exceptional Child. She planned to work in the juvenile detention system, but budget cuts left her with only one option, graduate school. Melody attended graduate school in dance at the University of NC at Greensboro. She taught at the Ballet School of Chapel Hill until joining Mary to open Dancentre where she teaches creative movement, jazz, and contemporary, Melody is the artistic director of Studio A Dancers a children’s performing group. She has performed with Missouri Dancers, the Chapel Hill Ballet Company, Carolina Dancers, Whirlwind Jazz Dancers, and Studio A Dancers. Melody designs and produces costumes and art to wear for idres. She continues her dance training and exploration with yearly jaunts to the Bates Dance Festival where she keeps in touch with what it feels like to be a student.
Marsha Ann Thomas
Marsha Thomas click image for full view
Marsha Ann Thomas is a graduate from East Carolina University with a BFA in Dance Performance. In addition she has received a Professional Degree in Dance Studies from the Laban Centre London and is certified in Pilates mat course from the Pilates Certification Centre in Raleigh. She currently works as a pre-school and movement teacher at the Jewish Community Pre-School of Wake County. Marsha is also in her 3rd year as a dancer for Queen City Jazz Company in Charlotte.
Courtney Buley
Courtney began dancing with Mary Norkus at the age of 5. Explorations in ballet and tap eventually led her to jazz under the instruction of Melody Eggen. Inspired by the beauty and imaginative qualities of dance and performance, she began working as a hair and makeup artist for film and dance. Most recently, she was given the opportunity to work with student dancers at ADF in Durham. Courtney is currently pursuing a degree in Studio Art and Theater Production at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She hopes to one day support and foster the creativity of young performers in the same way she was supported during her time at Dancentre.