Melissa is Motion Pacific’s newest board member, and one of our longest teaching staff members. She began teaching for Motion in 2005 after moving from Southern California and transferring to UCSC, with already a decade’s worth of experience choreographing and teaching ballet, tap, hip hop and jazz.
Motion became an immediate home away from home, and she has been integral in helping develop our youth program. Over the last 10 years she has grown into the Artistic Director role of Stockings; a Holiday Cabaret, our annual fundraiser event that takes place in December. After taking over Family Network Preschool in 2014 she decreased her teaching schedule, and now teaches adult Contemporary Jazz to a dedicated following, and loves bringing new folx into the fold.
Melissa’s style ranges from slow(ish) paced and moody, to fast paced and fun, to sultry and sexy, and is always technical and expressive. Class always starts with a meditative flowing warm-up and stretch, incorporating toning and conditioning, and then moves to choreography.
Website photos by Natsha Lozanoff, Michael Baba, Angela Hesse, Crystal Birns, Jay Melena, Peter Nguyen, Mara Milam, Beau Saunders, Rosie Chesney, Yvonne Portra and Steve DiBartolomeo