Born in 1970, Melinda was raised in the Philippines. She came to the States in 1981 at the age of 11. As young as she can remember, dancing and moving has been in her blood. A high school P.E. dance program was Melinda’s first introduction to formal dance training – a program that changed her life and led to who she is now. It introduced her to her mentor, a dance instructor who showed her that dance is about finding the passion and art in it; finding the love in how great it is to move – not the glitziness of it or competition part of it. It was in this program that Melinda realized her true love with dance as well – teaching it, inspiring with it, and sharing it. A 20 + years Air Force veteran, dance has always been a part of Melinda's life. She created a youth dance program for military families while stationed at Rhein Main Air Base Germany. She coached a developing dance team at Christopher Newport University when transferred to Langley Air Force Base in Hampton. And in 2001, once transferred and settled in the Northern Virginia area, she created her program !ACCENT! Dancers, now 15 years running. EDUCATION: AA, Management, Community College of the Air Force, 2004 BS, Management; Park University, 2004 MS (Summa Cum Laude), Management/Project Management; Strayer, 2013 BA, Dance/MCERT Dance Candidate, University of Maryland, 2018 CERTIFICATIONS: Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) Essentials (http://danceeducationlaboratory.com/) DEL Early Childhood Dance ISSA Personal Fitness Trainer ISSA Fitness Nutrition Counselor Zumba Level 1 PiYo LIVE CPR (Child & Adult)