Meet Tori

Before her teaching career, Tori Lynn Palazola-O’Rourke spent 25 years singing and performing in New York City and around the country.

She starred as Patsy Cline in the one and only off Broadway production of Always, Patsy Cline with her co star, 6 Prime Time Emmy award winner, Margo Martindale.

Her portrayal earned great critical acclaim and she reprised her role all over the country. She appeared as the opening act for the Queen of Country Music, Loretta Lynn and performed on the stage of The Grand Ole Opry.

She has appeared on the Today Show and Primetime Country. She has written and performed her own one woman cabaret show, Tori Stories, around the country and her touring has taken her to 49 of our 50 states!

Tori has performed the leading roles in the National Tours of Evita and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas to rave reviews and performed in The Lost Highway, the Music and Legend of Hank Williams at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

Tori has studied with and been mentored by Tony Award winning directors;

• Phil Oesterman of Urban Cowboy
• Jeff Calhoun of Newsies
• Broadway producer, writer and director, Randy Johnson of A Night with Janis Joplin
• Voice teacher to the stars, Steve Sweetland
• among other incredible directors and teachers throughout the years.

She has co starred in original musical productions with Broadway stars like:

• Max Von Essen, (EVITA, ANASTASIA, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS CHICAGO)
• NATASHA WILLIAMS (WAITRESS, THE COLOR PURPLE, CHICAGO)
• JENNIFER SIMARD (MEAN GIRLS, HELLO DOLLY, COMPANY and the upcoming DEATH BECOMES HER) just to name a few.

She studied Musical Theater at The Boston Conservatory, Wagner College and Music Business and Vocal Performance at Belmont University.

She lives in Long Island, New York with her husband Kevin and her two daughters Ellie and Eden.

She has been teaching for the last 13 years at BROADWAY DANCE ACADEMY where her competition numbers have earned the title “Best Musical Theater Studio” by Access Broadway for the last 4 years.

She is passionate about teaching kids and holding them to their highest artistic potential.

Her classrooms are full of outrageous fun while also challenging kids to learn and grow and be the very best they can be.