Melanie Durham

Melanie has devoted herself to teaching dance ever since opening her own dance studio in CA in 2003 and sold it in 2010. Melanie Durham has been dancing since age 4 and is now in her 29th year of teaching dance. 

She is well-versed in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, and Acrodance. Melanie received her Bachelor of Arts degree, with an emphasis in Dance Performance and Composition, from the University of California, Riverside in 2005. Recent certifications include: Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), AAC1 Acrobatic Arts, Preschool AcroDance, Aerial & Backhandspring Workshop, Adjudicator for AcroDance, Red Cross CPR/First Aid, and the Safety + Wellness with Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD), to name a few.

Melanie is a professional dance instructor who continues to invest time, finances, and brain-power into continuous growth for her teaching career. With over 29 years experience in dance education, including many hours of pedagogy and kinesiology, she also has 13 years in the dance competition circuit throughout the USA and Canada.  The safety of the dancer is always her first priority in both teaching and adjudication. Age-appropriate progressions, stretching, and technical training lacks as a focus for many instructors, but it is at the forefront for Melanie…the dancer is growing and the body needs to be protected.  All classes & choreography taught by Melanie are with certified curriculums and her dedication to continued dance education. 

Dance class is a fun escape for every dancer’s artistry. Melanie provides a customized approach in her teaching, all while tailoring a specific learning method to each student's needs & developmental age range. The most attention should be given to ages 7 and under, while they are still developing their fine motor skills for life. Safe, imaginary, and encouraging fun can make a dance class the best place every child wants to be at. Setting up the young dancer for success comes from proper technique in an exciting way. Melanie always brings new ideas to the dance classroom, while finding new ways to help repetition “stick better” in those young growing minds.

Creating a positive and progressive learning environment is important to prepare a dancer for the path ahead. Whether a student dances professionally or not, the time & preparation in quality teaching shouldn’t be ignored. Melanie has taught many students who've found a coordinating career after their years in dance. “Whether the child goes on to become a professional dancer or not, that shouldn’t matter. The building blocks and the dance education I give to them should allow that choice to happen. I always give more to my teaching moments then some other instructors. It’s all because I know that no matter where life takes them, I was a part of their dance journey and their overall growth…wherever life may take them.” 

-Melanie Durham