About Melissa
Melissa has been dancing for 21 years. She began her training at age four. Three years later, Melissa found herself at the prestigious and rigorous San Francisco Ballet School for seven years under the direction of Lola DeAvila. While at San Francisco Ballet School, Melissa studied classical ballet, and performed in various performances with San Francisco Ballet. From there, Melissa desired to expand her dance education and soon found herself at the Metronome Ballroom studying two of her favorite types of dance, swing, with champion Lindy Hop instructor Sharon Ashe, and Theater Arts Adagio partnering with coach, and World Champion adagio cabaret dancer, Tom Slater. Under Tom's wing, she won the 1998 title of United States Pro-Am Theatre Arts Adagio Champion. Thanks Tom!
(click here to see Tom & Melissa dance)
While at the Metronome, Melissa met her current dance partner, Arjay Centeno. They paired up in 1999 and trained and competed together in International Ballroom & Latin. Things changed for Arjay & Melissa when they found an intense passion for West Coast Swing.
(click here to see Arjay & Melissa dance)
In the last five years, Melissa and Arjay have reached new heights competing and teaching nationally in the West Coast Swing circuit. They are ranked among the top west coast swing dancers in the world both individually and as a couple. Their biggest accomplishments to date are taking 1st in the 2007 Showcase Swing Division and 2nd in the 2006 Classic Swing Division at USA Grand Nationals. They also took 2nd place in the Showcase Division at the US Open Swing Dance Championships in 2007 & 2006! Melissa and Arjay are also winners of the prestigious Phoenix Invitational Champion of Champions Jack & Jill!
Besides Melissa's dance background, she has also trained in New York City and San Francisco as a singer (classical, musical theater, jazz, pop, country) and actress. Melissa graduated Magna Cum Laude from Marymount Manhattan College with her B.A. in Dance!
To find out more about Arjay, go to www.arjaycenteno.com