Tori
Shaffett

Tori’s dance journey began at the age of 7, exploring various dance styles before discovering her true passion for Hip Hop. This passion ignited her journey to the World Hip Hop Championships in Las Vegas, where she showcased her talent on a global stage. Back home in New Plymouth, Tori founded her own Hip Hop crew, captivating audiences in countless local performances and competitions.

With a Masters Degree in Psychology, Tori spent her early 20s in the education sector, honing her skills in working with children and young adults. Her experience extends to choreographing school productions and teaching dynamic Hip Hop classes that blend creativity with technique.
Working as the head hip hop teacher at AOD since 2022, Tori has lead our hip hop students to success with a 100% pass rate in all APDA hip hop exams in 2023 and 2024, including having 3 students place in the top five worldwide in their Level 8 examinations. Tori has also managed two of AODs hip hop crews, leading them to compete at many local and national competitions including PACANZ, Hip Hop International and Hip Hop Unite.

For Tori, dance is not just about movement—it’s a therapeutic journey filled with joy, empowerment, and self-expression. She strives to cultivate a space where students can build confidence, discover their creativity, and experience the sheer joy of dance. At Academy of Dance, we believe that dance is inclusive and transformative, enhancing both physical and mental well-being. Tori embodies these values, fostering connection, belonging, and the growth of healthy minds and bodies through the art of movement.