DANCE MECHANIX SCHOOL OF DANCE

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22 Years of Dance Experience!

                     ABOUT OUR TEACHERS                             

Melissa Miller Fleming has over 35 years of dance experience. She received her dance training primarily in the New England area and continues to study dance in Boston and New York City. Her professional studies include working with such dance legions as Luigi, Gus Giordano, David Howard, Bob Rizzo, Frank Hatchett, Finis Jhung, Rhee Gold and Dianne Walker. Melissa is a member of the New England Dance Master’s of America Chapter 5 and has dance certifications from Dance Teacher Magazine for her participation in their Dance Teacher Summer Workshops. While studying dance, Melissa performed with the Worcester Ballet Society in their productions of “The Dream” and “Gershwin” and competed at the regional and national level. Melissa has been awarded numerous high scoring awards for both group and solo dance entries. 

Upon graduating from high school, Melissa was accepted to the Boston Conservatory of Dance but was unable to attend.  At that time she chose to pursue her career as a dance teacher and choreographer. She studied early childhood education at Worcester State College and Quinsigamond College while continuing to teach for area dance studios.  Melissa has taught at and owned studios in both Colorado and Massachusetts. As a choreographer, Melissa has worked as the assistant Performing Arts Director at Sheppherd Hill High School where she choreographed for their award winning show choir and with local performing arts companies.

Currently, Melissa has a BSN, and works as a Registered Nurse for the Southern  Worcester County Educational Collaborative, she is a member of Phi Theta  Kappa National Honor Society and she owns and operates the Dance Mechanix   School of Dance. Melissa teaches tap, ballet, pointe, jazz, lyric, acro, and  contemporary to all ages and levels of dancers. Her students have received many high scoring awards, titles, and scholarships at both the national and regional level. They have received such honors as dancing at Orlando Studios, studying  with the Boston Ballet Summer Intensive program and attending the Dance Master’s Of America Student Honors Intensive Program.

Melissa enjoys sharing her dance knowledge and loves helping aspiring young dancers to mature and grow, among them is her daughter Kelci Clark. In her classroom, children learn how to express themselves through movement and at the same time, develop an everlasting appreciation for the art form.  

 

Nicole Rizzo began dancing at the age of four.  She received her dance training locally, competing in both regional and national level dance competitions.  During this time, Nicole received many high score awards, cash prizes and special awards for both group and specialty numbers.  She also participated in many master-level classes and workshops, taught by some of the most renowned instructors of the time.  Nicole earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Elms College in 1997 and her Master of Arts in Teaching in 2000.   She has taught in both Catholic and public schools at the elementary level. 

Nicole teaches all levels and types of dance at the studio.  At the dance studio, Nicole hopes to instill a love of dance and commitment in her students.  It is her hope that the girls have fun as they strive to become the best dancers that they can be.  Nicole is the mother of three-year-old Ariana who dances in the Kinderdance class at the studio.

 

Ashley Massey began dancing at the age of three. She was an award  winning dancer in numerous solo and group routines at regional and national dance competitions. At a young age, Ashley began performing with the Albany Berkshire Ballet.Later, she performed in the opening number of the 75th Macy’s  Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Ashley’s professional studies include a BFA in Dance Pedagogy from the University of Hartford’s Hartt School, under the direction of Peggy Lyman and Dennis Price. While at the Hartt School, Ashley studied on talent scholarship with  such dance professionals as Peggy Lyman, Katie Stevinson-Nollet, Adam Miller,  Peter O’Brien, Scott Rink, Amy Marshall, Joyce Herring, and James Robey. She also performed in numerous works by Alla Nikitina, Dennis Price, and Jean- Grande Maitre.

Ashley teaches ballet, pointe, and modern at the studio and is excited to be a part of Dance  Mechanix School of Dance. In addition to her classes at Dance Mechanix, Ashley also teaches various styles of dance at the Patti Morris Dance Unlimited. Ashley is also responsible for bringing dance into the Millbury Public Schools aftercare program.

Currently, Ashley dances with Fusionworks, a professional modern dance company in Rhode Island. She also continues her studies of dance in New York City and attends workshops and auditions throughout the New England area.

Danielle Shaw has been taking dance since the young age of 2. She has studied in ballet, pointe, lyric, contemporary/modern, tap, jazz, musical theatre, and hip hop. Danielle competed for many years on regional and national levels, winning many high scores and special judges awards. After dancing competitively she went on to dance professionally for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA for 2 years. It was through this opportunity that she was able to dance for the Celtics during half times and various time outs within the games.

At Salve Regina University, she was part of dance team and company. In the SRU Dance company she had the privilege of studying under Lindsey Craven. Danielle also choreographed for the dance team. Danielle is currently a student at the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Ma where she is an English major. She continues studying dance and taking part in teacher workshops. Danielle is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Dance Mechanix studio and looks forward to sharing her love of dance with her students.
 

Alicia Majeau has been studying dance since the age of three. She began studying with Melissa in 1998 and began her teacher training in 2001.Throughout her years of dance, Alicia has participated in many dance workshops and taken classes with choreographers such as Dan Karate, Mike Minnery and Stepp Stewert, as well as classes at the Boston Ballet. She has also studied and performed in both theatre and music.

Alicia is a PLATINUM award winning soloist and has won multiple judges' choice awards and titles at local dance competitions. Since choreographing her first dance in 2003, Alicia continues to enjoy choreographing as well as teaching. A member of the Class of 2008 at Shepherd Hill Regional High School, she is currently ranked number one in her class. She looks forward to continuing her dance education through high school and beyond.