MeNa Dance Academy

MeNa Dance Academy instructors are highly trained dancers who specialize in teaching children dance technique. We pride ourselves in the quality of our teachers and the knowledge they have to share with the children. Our instructors strive to bring the best out of each child. They are trained through MeNa Dance Academy how to handle each class and how to provide the highest quality program for each school. We pride ourselves in our amazing instructors and hope that you find them as exceptional as we do.

Unlike our competitors that hire teachers through job ads that state "no experience necessary; will train," MeNa Dance Academy recruits and only hires qualified dance teachers that meet our high MeNa Dance Academy standards and expectations so we can ensure our schools, parents, and children the very BEST in every class.

Austin * Dallas * Ventura/Simi Valley

Michael A. Mendez- Owner
MeNa Dance Academy was founded by Michael A. Mendez in 2006. After many years of working in the film industry, Mr. Mendez chose a new venture in running a dance instruction company. After working with children on the sets of his many films and television shows, along with his experience with his own child, he realized the importance of the arts in children's lives. Due to his experiences, he feels the need to give back to the community and provide quality programs to encourage children, even at the youngest ages, to explore their creative side and build self-worth.

Melissa Nanninga Mendez- Creative Director
Melissa has been dancing since the age of three. Melissa trained at the Plano Academy of Dance in Plano, TX for many years and later became the Lieutenant of her high school dance team. Melissa continued to dance through her college years at the University of Texas and graduated with a Bachelor of the Science of Radio/Television/Film. After graduation, Melissa moved out to California where she continues her study of dance by training at Millennium Dance Complex in North Hollywood. Melissa has performed at numerous competitions receiving highest honors as well as performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. She continues her dance career by teaching the children of MeNa Dance Academy and finds it to be one of the most rewarding experiences. Melissa is currently working toward receiving her teaching credentials for Early Childhood Education. Melissa is also Itsy Bitsy Yoga trained.

Austin:

Brittany Sterrett- Instructor

Brittany has been dancing since she was 3. Growing up in Pennsylvania, she studied ballet in a pre-professional program at Ballet Westmoreland Academy under the direction of Marsha Kulik and Nicolas Petrov. In college, she turned to modern dance, serving as president of the Johns Hopkins University Modern Dance Company for four years. Brittany studied in New York with the NIkolais-Louis Foundation for Dance, along with having taken master classes from Garth Fagan Dance, Peter Kyle and Christine Jowers, among others. While in college, Brittany also helped to found an after-school dance program in Baltimore city elementary schools, for which she taught ballet weekly. She is an ACE certified Group Fitness Instructor and is working toward her RYT yoga certification from YogaFit. She has taught ballet, modern dance, yoga and Pilates for the past 5 years to students of all ages. Brittany received BAs in International Relations and Romance Languages/Literatures from Johns Hopkins University in addition to a Certificate in Modern Dance in 2007. She recently moved to Austin and is excited to share her passion for dance with children here!

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Dallas:

Instructor Bios Coming Soon

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Ventura/Simi Valley:

Alyssa Belden- Ventura Branch Manager

Alyssa has been dancing since the young of age 3 and began competing at age 14 till the age of 18. She has taken classes and studied under well know teachers and choreographers such as: Robert Salas, Dennon and Sayhber Rawles, Monica Galindo, Joe Tremaine, Nancy Paradis, Wade Robson, Shane Sparks, and Mia Michaels. Alyssa began teaching dance at age 16 and taught for 6 years at Simi Dance Center in Simi Valley. She choreographed numerous award-winning dances for SDC's competition team as well as award-winning solos, duets, and trios. She now teaches lyrical and jazz at Premier Dance Studio in Oxnard and is starting their competition team. Alyssa is also the primary dance instructor at the Simi Valley YMCA where she teaches Pre-school level dances classes, ballet, tap, and hip hop. She has received special recognition for her extraordinary teaching with children through the YMCA and has continuously growing dance classes. Along with her passion and love for teaching, Alyssa has performed in many shows including Faculty Dance Concerts at Moorpark College where she was invited to choreograph for five concerts. Recently, Alyssa placed 3rd in the Richard Carpenter Scholarship Competition in the college division winning $1500 for her lyrical performance and choreography. Alyssa is thrilled to be a part of MeNa Dance Academy and to share her passion and love for dance with children.

Michelle Assadi- Instructor

Michelle began dancing in 1997 at Simi Dance Center in Simi Valley studying different dance forms such as: Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, & Lyrical. Michelle joined Simi Dance Center's award-winning competition team in 1998 and continued competing for six years. She won many awards at various regional & national competitions including top overall awards for jazz, hip hop, & lyrical group dances as well as her jazz solo. Michelle has danced at many conventions including Tremaine Dance Convention, L.A. Dance Magic, and Co. Dance. She has taken many classes from well-known choreographers such as: Wade Robson, Joe Tremaine, Jason Wright, and Marty Dew. Michelle started teaching at SDC in 2001 and continued teaching for three years. Along with currently teaching pre-school level dance classes at the Simi Valley YMCA, Michelle loves to perform and has currently performed in three Faculty Dance Concerts at Moorpark College. She continues her love of dance by teaching with MeNa Dance Academy and is very excited to join the MeNa family!

Elyse Villa- Instructor

Elyse has been involved with dance and cheerleading for five years and has been teaching Tae Kwon Do for six years. She is heavily involved in the Moorpark College Dance Department. She has studied and continues to study modern and contemporary jazz under the instruction of Robert Salas and Beth Megill. She has been chosen to showcase her choreography in two Faculty Dance Concerts at Moorpark College as well as the American College Dance Festival in Texas. Elyse is currently teaching preschool level classes at the Simi Valley YMCA and the Conejo Boys and Girls Club. Elyse is very excited to share her love of dance and teaching with MeNa Dance Academy.