With a love of dance that began with her first class at age three, Melissa Soares trained in ballet,
pointe, jazz and modern dance for more than 24 years. That’s why she brings to the Ballet Studio a
unique understanding of teaching techniques that build a solid foundation in dance from a very
young age.
As a student at the Cape Cod Conservatory in Massachusetts, Melissa studied under the direction
of Irene Merrill and received multiple top placement awards in dance competitions throughout the
New England area. She continued her training at the highly regarded Jeannette Neill Dance Studio
and while pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree from Suffolk University in Boston, MA, Melissa joined
the Suffolk University dance team. She further intensified her training in ballet through University
classes under the direction of Patricia Strauss (now w/ the Miami City Ballet) and with guest
instructors from the Milwaukee Ballet and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. Her performance
experience includes six productions of the Mid-Cape Ballet's The Nutcracker, where she danced
lead roles in the Spanish, Marzipan and Arabian segments as well as ‘Waltz of the Flowers’ and
‘Snowflakes’.
Melissa is a resident of Alexandria and looks forward bringing her wide range of experience to the
dancers of the Ballet Studio. She joins our staff as Lead Instructor for the Saturday Creative
Movement and Intro to Dance-Ballet classes.
pointe, jazz and modern dance for more than 24 years. That’s why she brings to the Ballet Studio a
unique understanding of teaching techniques that build a solid foundation in dance from a very
young age.
As a student at the Cape Cod Conservatory in Massachusetts, Melissa studied under the direction
of Irene Merrill and received multiple top placement awards in dance competitions throughout the
New England area. She continued her training at the highly regarded Jeannette Neill Dance Studio
and while pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree from Suffolk University in Boston, MA, Melissa joined
the Suffolk University dance team. She further intensified her training in ballet through University
classes under the direction of Patricia Strauss (now w/ the Miami City Ballet) and with guest
instructors from the Milwaukee Ballet and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. Her performance
experience includes six productions of the Mid-Cape Ballet's The Nutcracker, where she danced
lead roles in the Spanish, Marzipan and Arabian segments as well as ‘Waltz of the Flowers’ and
‘Snowflakes’.
Melissa is a resident of Alexandria and looks forward bringing her wide range of experience to the
dancers of the Ballet Studio. She joins our staff as Lead Instructor for the Saturday Creative
Movement and Intro to Dance-Ballet classes.
| Melissa Soares Lead Instructor Creative Movement ITD-Ballet |