Debbie Melton, a Texas Dance Educators Association Past President and Lifetime Member, has been involved in the Dance/Drill Team Industry for the past 41 years and still serv es the Dance/Drill Team world.

 

Debbie is the Owner of TrendSetters Dance, which was established in the fall of 2010. She is a National Award-Winning High School Dance Team Director of 30 years, whose teams received numerous awards for choreography, technique, precision, entertainment, and many State and National Champion titles. She has choreographed for Special Events such as the Alamo Bowl, Summer Olympics, and Houston’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to name a few. Debbie still choreographs halftime routines and contest dances all over the state of Texas. In addition, Debbie is an adjudicator for local, state, and national level competitions. She serves as a mentor to new Directors and as a silent contributor to students needing financial assistance. She was honored by TDDTEA with the Director of the Year Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2024 inductee for the Hall of Fame.

 

She currently serves as the TDEA exhibitor liaison and helped create the Members Scholarship for Directors needing funds to attend the convention. Debbie is a Past President of TDDTEA and served on the Texas State Board for 11 years while serving on several Accreditation Boards. Debbie has also been named as AAPHERD Outstanding Dance Educator for K-12, TAAPHERD Dance Educator of the Year, A+ Teacher of the Year, and Who’s Who Among American High School Teachers. Debbie was Captain of her High School Dance Team the North Shore Scarlets, Captain of San Jacinto Jr. College Sandancers, and a member of the Sam Houston State University Dance Company.

 

Debbie received her BAT in Dance, Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, and Master’s in Administrative Education. She is also certified in the beginning and intermediate levels of Labanotation. Her philosophy in dance education is to provide a learning environment that is challenging and at the same time educational, motivational, inspirational, and fun for all.

 

Debbie has been blessed for the past 41 years to be married to her best friend and husband Kenny. She is also mom to Brittany, who is Director of the Tomball High School Cougar Charms and Past President of TDEA, and Blake who is currently a Sr. Financial Analyst for AON Hewitt in the Galleria Houston. She is proud to be the grandmother to her two grandbabies Brandon and Blakely.