EDUCATOR

Sharing and passing down knowledge is an inspiring role, and to know you are playing a part in the shaping of an artist’s talent and craft is not a task I take casually. Exploring new and different ways to instill confidence and communicate ideas that will help mold the next generations of dancers to flourish is a welcomed exchange to me with gratifying rewards.

COACHING

Melena has an innate ability to quickly develop a comfortable, honest and trusting relationship with actors, singers, acrobats and dancers alike, while progressing them during the creation process. Be it behind the camera or for live stage productions, she is experienced in coaching all levels and ages in choreography and movement. She is proficient in progressing their level of comfort in conjunction with the staging and sequencing. 

She instills confidence and knowledge in to the performance artist, motivating from a place of love and support, while driving them to be their best. Choreography or staging may then begin to flow as an honest dialogue would, and it builds an authentic connection to the movement for talent, ultimately enhancing the drive of the story they are telling. 

She has had the opportunity to coach a variety of entertainers including the late Robin Williams & Cameron Boyce, Tamera Mowry Housely, Sofia Carson, Dove Cameron, BooBoo Stewart, Bailee Madison, Alison Sweeney, Sherri Shepherd, Ashanti, Hill Harper, Chris Katan, Ben Walker, Elvira ‘Mistress of the Dark’, Coco of E!’s ‘Ice Loves Coco’, Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster & Friends!

EXPERIENCE

For over 20 years Melena has enjoyed sharing her passion and knowledge for dance and entertainment with every aspiring dance artist she encounters. She has taught and adjudicated extensively throughout Canada, the United States, Australia, and Mexico. Whether it's a large-scale convention, summer intensive, Guest Master Class, choreography or private session, she is experienced and well equipped for it all. Her vocabulary is expansive as she believes that, like language, the more dance styles you train fundamentally in the easier it is to pick up new styles and concepts that you can cross reference and add to your tool bag of dance. Street Jazz/ Jazz Funk, Hip Hop, Locking, House, Jazz, Musical Theater, Heels, Lyrical and Pilates are genres she has educated largely on. Melena truly enjoys sharing her passion and knowledge of all that encompasses dance with every aspiring dance artist she encounters.

PILATES

In 2008, Melena learned about and fell in love with Pilates, while performing for Cirque du Soleil. With an intense performance schedule (10-12 shows a week), she quickly realized the value in Pilates to keep her body strong, healthy, balanced and aligned. Having seen the benefits of Pilates herself, she decided to become a certified instructor through the Internationally recognized Pilates Sports Center Training Program on all Pilates apparatuses as well as becoming pre and postal natal certified.

She continues to work with a multitude of bodies and high profile clientele (schedule permitting). Melena has an eye for placement and detail which is ideal for helping the client get maximum results from their session. So whether you are looking to maintain, rehab, or feel the burn she looks forward to helping you meet your goals!