Miss Melissa

Owner/Director

Melissa received her basic dance education from a very young age in the Worcester area. After graduating from Holy Name High School, Melissa majored in Dance at Dean College where she earned an Associate's degree in the Arts. Throughout her time at Dean, she worked as a dance instructor for several area studios. In 1994, Melissa started Greendale Dance Academy in the basement of Greendale People's Church with just 45 students. Two years later the studio moved to it's current location. During the early years of the studio, Melissa continued her education at Worcester State College, earning Bachelor degrees in both Early Childhood Education and Psychology, as well as her Massachusetts teaching license. Miss Melissa teaches Creative Movement to adult classes. She is also the proud mother of 2 children and is married to "Mr. Pete".

Miss Jamie G.

Assistant Director/Teacher

Jamie Graves was one of the first students when Greendale Dance Academy opened. While dancing she was among the first to compete for the studio receiving many gold, silver and judges awards. After graduating high school, Jamie successfully auditioned for a role in the national and international traveling show Sesame Street Live. She played a Yup Yup, Zoe, Blanche and was Prairie Dawn (short understudy). As an understudy she performed "short" character roles, like Elmo! Jamie is a active member of the Screen Actors Guild and has also worked as an extra in hit movies like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, College Road Trip and Pink Panther Deux. Jamie teaches both recreational and competitive classes. She prides herself in helping every dancer be successful making each class enjoyable. Jamie has worked her way up from a shy dancer 17 years ago to working along side Miss Melissa as Assistant Director.

Mr. Pete

Owner and Business Manager

Peter is Melissa's husband and a man who wears many hats. He brings many years of theatrical and professional live sound experience to the studio. He also helps clean dances for competition and recital by helping dancers understand the relationship of their movement to the beat, rhythm, genre, lyrics, mood and style of the music. Peter holds a bachelors degree in Music Education from Plymouth State University and a Masters Degree from the University of Southern Oregon. He has been teaching music in the public schools since 1997 and his ensembles have performed in Disney World.

Miss Amy

Teacher

Miss Amy has been teaching at GDA since 2000. She has been involved in dance in some capacity since she was very young.  Her dance training was at the Charlotte Klein Dance Centers here in Worcester.  Amy participated and scored highly in many regional and national dance competitions, most notably the Dance Masters of America National Dance Competition.

Miss Chandler

Teacher

Miss Chandler danced for 12 years and competed for 10 of those years. she has taken many different classes furthered her love for dance by attending conventions. She learned a lot of great life lessons through dance that she carries with me everyday. She is finishing her degree from Southern New Hampshire University in Sports Management. She is very happy to continue to be an active part of GDA and share with her students all the great things her teachers shared with her.

Miss Caitlyn

Teacher

Miss Caitlyn danced competitively at GDA for 11 years. She is a well-rounded dancer that excels in any style, but has a special talent and love for Tap. When she isn't teaching dance, she is busy as a college student working towards a nursing degree.

Miss Bridgette

Teacher

Bridgette started her dance career at Sally McDermott Dance Centers, where she spent fifteen years studying various styles such as tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, contemporary and acro dance. She was the Captain of her Dance Company, competing in groups and as a soloist: regionally and nationally. Bridgette has performed in the opening act of the Radio City Rockettes, at Disney’s Epcot Center, in the Wheaton College Dance Company, and at other local/national venues. Bridgette has also attended various conventions and workshops. Over the past several years, Bridgette has taught dance and gymnastics, both at the competitive and recreational level. Bridgette has a degree in Business from Quinsigamond Community College and is currently working to get her teacher’s license in Special Education from Fitchburg State University. In her free time, Bridgette continues to train attending various dance classes throughout New England. Recently, Bridgette has been studying under professional dancers from L.A., learning more about the L.A. commercial based dance styles. Bridgette is very excited to be joining the GDA staff and bringing her love and passion for dance to her students!

Miss Helen

Office