Award Winning studio in the St. Cloud Area.

Mission Statement: Ms. Melinda’s Dance Studio is a place for students and families to establish long lasting relationships on and off the dance floor.  We strive to improve dance ability, self confidence and leadership skills in a clean, safe and professional environment.  At Ms. Melinda’s, we aspire to share our passion and joy, where “dreams begin with a dance.”

Meet Our Team!

	Ms. Melinda Tamm Melinda Tamm is the owner and instructor of Ms. Melinda’s Dance Studio. Melinda graduated from St. Cloud State University with a B.S. in Education. She has 25 years of experience in all areas of dance, including 16 years as an instructor for all ages and abilities.  She also spent multiple years as a professional NFL cheerleader, dancer and choreographer. Melinda’s students have won over 200 awards and helped her win awards for outstanding choreography and creative concepts in the last five years. Melinda states, “The best reward is the psychological reward you receive from each student’s accomplishments and excitement throughout the year.  I now look forward to providing a learning environment for my students that will help them ‘Dream Big’ and see that dreams do come true.”
	Annie Henderson Annie has danced for 9 years at Southwest School of Dance in Marshall, MN where she competed regionally and nationally. Aside from dancing for years, Annie has experience performing on stage in both musicals and plays. She is trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and modern dance from both regional and national acclaimed instructors and choreographers. Annie was a National Dance team member at the College of Saint Benedict that recieved high honors at the UDA Collegiate Dance Team Championships in ’07, ’08 and ’09. She has been teaching dance for 8 years and truly finds her dancers inspirational. Annie is excited to return to Ms. Melinda’s for her third year as a part of the highly trained team of instructors and choreographers. Annie agrees that, “Young dancers are training at a very vulnerable time in their lives…So train the whole person, not just the dancer.” – Deborah Bull
	Jessica Motzko Jessica is attends St. Cloud State University, majoring in chemical dependency therapy and minoring in dance. Before teaching here, she had 15 years of dance and three years of teaching. Jessica also has been a competitive dancer since the age of 6. She’s competed in tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, modern and pointe. She enjoys working with children to help them achieve their goals in every aspect of dance. “I’m looking forward to my third year at Ms. Melinda’s and meeting so many more new faces! I can’t wait to make every child’s dance dream come true!”
	Maria Ziegler Maria has been training in dance for 16 years. She has taken several tap master classes along with training from educators from the New York City Ballet. Maria has won numerous “Overall High Performance Awards,” scholarships and has trained in Chicago with the “Chicago Human Rhythm Project” for three years.  She has also won multiple choreography awards over the years. Maria has eight years of teaching experience and is excited to be a part of the Ms. Melinda’s teaching staff for her third year.
	Rebecca Gross Rebecca is a senior at the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University with a major in communication and a minor in psychology.  This will be her fourth year on the St. Ben’s Dance Team.  She danced at Dance By Kris in Cottage Grove, MN for 11 years where she competed both regionally and nationally, winning numerous awards.  She was also the captain/choreographer for the Wolfpack Dance Team at Park High School for three years.  Rebecca has been trained in jazz, lyrical, tap, ballet, musical theater, hip hop, pointe, pom and kick.  She coaches the St. John’s Preparatory School Dance Team and choreographs for the school’s musicals.  Besides dance, she is the service chair for Alpha Kappa Sigma service sorority and in the spring of 2011, Rebecca studied abroad in South Africa, taking classes and doing service work.  This is Rebecca’s first year working at Ms. Melinda’s, and she could not be more excited to share her enthusiasm for dance with her students.
	Julie Nelson Julie is starting her fourth year at St Cloud State University. She danced at Butterfield Gallery of Dance/Dancers Edge/NRG Dance Center for 15 years, and 10 of those years were on competition lines. She was also on the Maple Grove Senior High Dance Team for four years, and every year was a state participant. Julie is currently a fourth-year member of the St. Cloud State Dance team and will be captain for her third and final year. She is also the head-coach for the Apollo Astronettes this fall. She has attended many camps, regional competitions and national level competitions all over the country. She is very excited to be able to share her dance knowledge with the students at our studio.
	Nicole Buttermore: Nicole is a sophomore at St. Cloud State University, where is she majoring in Mass Communications.  Nicole studied Ballet, Lyrical, Tap and Jazz for 12 years with Woodbury Dance Center, where is won top regaional and national awards. This is Nicole’s second year here at Ms. Melinda’s Dance Studio.  Nicole is very excited to be working with the students again and seeing them enjoy dance,as she does.
	Rachael Widman Rachael is a junior at St. Cloud State University and is planning on majoring in Secondary Education and Psychology. She began dance at the age of five and has been trained in lyrical, jazz, tap and hip hop, participating in the competition bracket throughout middle school and most of high school. Once entering college she began choreographing and dancing hip hop for the UMM POM Squad where she found a love for choreographing and teaching others the style. She is very ecstatic about being a part of Ms.Melinda’s staff!
	Tara Heck Tara is currently attending St.Cloud State University and will be graduating in December of 2012 with a Bachelors degree in psychology and a minor in philosophy. Tara danced competitively at Metro Dance Studio where she competed in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, modern and lyrical. Tara also traveled to Anaheim, CA and Myrtle Beach, SC to compete at Nationals. She also competed on both varsity jazz and high kick. The Viewettes placed top 3 in State for jazz all 4 years she was on the team.  Tara is honored to be a part of Ms. Melinda’s staff. She is thrilled to start teaching and getting to know everyone.
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	Paige Lorentz Paige is an assisant teacher, featured on the Dream Team and the Elite Stars team. Paige is a part of the advanced pointe team and competes as a pointe soloist. She is in her sixth year at Ms. Melinda’s Dance Studio and this is her second year on our teaching staff. Paige dances and teaches straight from her heart and looks forward to helping the younger dancers grow.
	Michelle Morgan Michelle is a sophomore at St. Cloud State University and is going to major in chemical dependency counseling. She grew up in Stillwater, MN where she danced for 13 years training in tap, jazz, ballet and pom pom, competing regionally and nationally. Michelle loves to dance and enjoys working with kids. This is her second year at Ms. Melinda’s where she is looking forward to a great year.
	Kelsi George Kelsi is an assistant teacher who is also featured on the Dream Team, the Elite Stars and All-Star team. Kelsi is in her sixth year here at Ms. Melinda’s and shares her talents and passion for dance with both her teammates and students. Kelsi is also on the Varisty Team for Tech Tigerettes.
	Megan Carter Megan is an Assistant Teacher who is featured on the Dream Team and the Elite Stars team. Megan is also a part of the advanced pointe team, All- Star team and competes as as a musical theater soloist. Megan has a gift for teaching and helping others find the joy and love for both dance and the arts.  She is celebrating her fifth year with Ms. Melinda’s Dance Studio.
	Katie George  Katie  is an assistant teacher who is featured on Dream Team and the Elite Stars team. Katie has been as part of Ms. Melinda’s for six years and is excited to be a part of our teaching team.  Katie is also a part of the Varsity Team for Tech Tigerette.
	Jessica Tapper: Jessica has been an assistant for tumbling and dance for the past two years with Ms. Melinda’s.  She is energetic, enthusiastic and great role model for the students. Jessica has been a part of Ms. Melinda’s Dance Studio family for the last three years.  She is currently a Junior at Sartell High School and looks forward to helping each student reach their tumbling and dance goals this year.
t	All Staff photos were taken by Dropp’s Unique Portrait Design.