Instructor/Choreographer

Manhattan Studio

Melissa began dancing at the age of four at The Dance Factory in Topeka, KS. She later studied at A Step Ahead Dance Studio and finally Fuzion School of Dance. She studied jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, and contemporary under the direction of Kelly Quy and Carly Malsom. While at Fuzion she student taught first and second grade classes and was a member of the studio’s competition team. She traveled to many competitions and conventions, including The Pulse, JUMP, Starpower, and Starlight. She also choreographed many of the musicals at her high school.

Melissa was selected as a member of the 2008 Koyote Girls Dance Team, the official cheerleaders of the APFL Kansas Koyotes football team. Her experience performing and leading a children’s dance workshop inspired her to want to teach and share dance with children of all ages.

This is Melissa’s first year teaching at Bates Dance Studios. She is excited to teach the studio’s young dancers and share her passion for dance with them!