Melanie Najarian has been teaching dance in New England since 2002 and joined the KBDS family in 2020. She holds a B.A. in Music from Clark University, where she danced with, choreographed for, and co-directed the Variant Dance Troupe. Following her passion for teaching dance, Melanie earned her A.A. in Dance from Dean College. At Dean, she took classes in all styles of dance as well as pedagogy, choreography, and creative movement for children. She has since then danced with the SRO Players of Lowell, participated in Boston Ballet’s Adult Summer Dance Program, attended the Dance Teacher Summit in CA, and been a member of Moving Arts Exchange’s Adult Dance Company. With MAX, Melanie had the unique opportunities to perform at the Sandisfield Arts Center, The Mount, Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, and twice on the beautiful Inside/Out Stage at Jacob’s Pillow. Before moving to the Berkshires, Melanie co-choreographed the annual musicals at Acton’s RJ Grey Junior High School, including the junior versions of Guys and Dolls, Honk, Willy Wonka, Once On This Island, and Bye Bye Birdie. Prior to college, Melanie studied at the former Belmont School of Ballet. Melanie received her Youth Protection Advocates in Dance certification in 2021.