Brianna Melendez is a dance artist, educator, and choreographer. She began her training under the direction of Nina Wheeler as a member of the Company Dancers of Durham, NC and earned a BFA in Dance Performance from East Carolina University. Brianna’s continued training includes time at the American Dance Festival, Giordano Dance Chicago, and the Tuscan Summer Dance Intensive.
Her professional work has taken her throughout the United States and Europe, where she has performed, taught, and set choreography. Brianna has performed with a range of artists and companies–most notably Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and La Bella Vita Arts, as well as Triangle-based companies including Code f.a.d. Company, Natalie Marrone & The Dance Cure, KT COLLECTIVE, and OM Grown Dancers.
Brianna has been teaching young dancers since 2010 and is currently the Co-Director of Destiny Dance Institute in Wake Forest, NC. In addition to her directorial role, she freelances as a guest instructor and choreographer. Outside of the dance studio, Brianna also works in group fitness and Pilates, bringing a holistic and strength-based approach to movement education.