Melissa's Bio 

Melissa M. McDaniel is a veteran choreographer, dance educator, and commercial dance artist. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has danced with professional sports leagues, in stage shows, in videos, and on tour. She directed an award-winning dance department at a college-preparatory independent school for and served as the Director of Visual Arts and Dance. She also has an extensive dance studio background, with 24 years of experience as an instructor and competition company director. Melissa travels throughout the United States teaching at conventions and judging competitions. Her professional choreography credits include shows featuring major recording artists, theater productions, national campaigns, and international corporate events.  She has worked on productions of The Wiz, Little Shop of Horrors, Carousel, Twilight Los Angeles, 1992, and Cinderella, just to name a few. Melissa continues to receive multiple regional choreography awards for her eye-catching routines and was honored as a nominee for Dance Educator of The Year by Charlotte Ballet in 2015. Melissa established Turning Pointe Dance Creations, also known as TPDC, in 2008 to provide professional dance instruction and choreography services to studios and individual students. The company expanded in 2017 in response to Melissa’s desire to develop a sense of community and support among dance educators, dancers, and parents of dance students. She recently launched Trustep Dancewear, an apparel and footwear line that features products that are inclusive of the entire dance community.