Taking the massive leap into the unknown, away from everyone you are close to, is a feat not for the faint of heart. 2008 SWHS graduate Tori Brindis is no exception to this fact, yet when she wrapped up her college education that’s exactly what she did. Picking up her life, and betting on herself, she took her dance expertise and talents to the beaches of Southern California, leading to success throughout the country.
Since making her westward leap, Brindis has found success in a variety of ways. She’s found herself dancing in music videos, taking the stage on Tokyo Disney Sea, attending LA fashion week, and plenty of other opportunities as a choreographer. Even still, she never could lose her roots in South Windsor.
“I spent so much time in the music wing of that school or dancing somewhere. I feel like those are my most treasured memories,” Brindis explained when discussing her time as a Bobcat with The Prowl.
She was able to breed her love for music and dance through programs at the school. The biggest of these being the competitive show choir, Choral Spectrum, a program she has since come back to as its choreographer since 2018.
It was, in fact, Choral Spectrum that led her into the world of Show Choir. Whether it was working with or for Mr. Jereme Martineau, director of Choral Spectrum, raising the bar in the New England Show Choir Circuit, or even exploring Oregon with her dogs, she has always attributed her creativity and growth to her experiences at Choral Spectrum.
Alongside choreographing Spectrum, she has also been able to work with groups from all ends of the country.
Brindis has given award winning choreography to high school show choirs from Massachusetts to Iowa to Texas, working with dozens of groups over the years.
I come back to Choral Spectrum because it feels like home.
— Tori Brindis
The former Spanish Language and Culture major has the ability to relate to her students, hyping them up and pushing both herself and them to new heights.
This high-energy approach to performing allows her to bring people together, spreading her message of kindness and independence.
Some of my favorite memories “I did on a whim, without worrying about what others would think. I forced myself to be more independent right out of high school, and I think it immensely paid off,” Brindis explained, discussing what message she wants the students she works with to understand. “Everything you do, do it with kindness. You don’t know how much it will mean to others and will bring you more abundance in your life.”
The self declared “Extroverted Introvert” calls for everyone to simply be themselves, and always take a risk. “I want to give the [performers] an experience that will stick with them for life, like it did for me.”
That bet she took on herself a decade ago, utilizing the friends she made in South Windsor and her family’s support, plus the community of Show Choir she is now ingrained in, pushes her forward through every step of her life. Whether that’s in LA, Oregon, Iowa, South Windsor, or anywhere else, she provides inspiration for all students looking out into the unknown.
