Torre’ (pronounced “Tour-Ree”) Merricks

Cheers to a lifetime of making movements which move the masses. To grooving with the goal of losing oneself and escaping life’s ills…

Think of dancing as a means of painting a picture. The dancefloor – the canvas. Your body is the brush. In this sense, Torre’ (pronounced “Tour-Ree”) Merricks is an abstractionist. She gathers elements of jazz, tap, and ballet. Contemporary, hip-hop, and majorette stylings find their way into the fold. She then blends these elements to a synergetic conclusion – resulting in an artistic movement all her own.

In 2020 Torre’ graduated from Prairie View A&M University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology. During her time on the Hill, she was a member of the Panther Dolls and danced with the team from her freshman year until graduation. In her senior year, she became captain and led the Panther Dolls in their performance during PV’s appearance in the 2019 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament.

Since graduating from Prairie View, Torre’ has continued dancing – doing so professionally. During the summer of 2023, she performed with New Orleans hip-hop legends Master P, Choppa, and Big Fav. She then followed up with multiple performances at the Essence Festival of Culture the same year. Among these performances were collaborations with artist Luckylou and the cosmetic line, NYX Professional Makeup.

When asked how Prairie View shaped her outlook on life and artistry, Torre’ remarked:
“Throughout my time on the Hill, I’ve built great relationships with individuals who I knew had to be heaven sent. There were so many highs and lows, but having the right company around me really saved my life… Having that good and loyal foundation has manifested itself into my dance career. So, being around dancers who motivate each other goes a long way – it’s all about good company and I learned to keep good company at PV.”
Today, Torre’ resides in her native New Orleans and has recently accepted a position at the historic St. Augustine High School as the assistant coach for the Golden Hearts Dance team.