Melia Riley first fell in love with dance at age 3, and her passion for every genre has continued to grow over the years.  She began serious study a few years later at The Academy of Dance Arts in Downers Grove, Illinois.  There she trained in ballet, lyrical, jazz and tap. Within the following years, Melia added contemporary and modern to her skillset. She performed in numerous academy and area productions and won scholarships to various workshops and intensives throughout the Chicago area. In 2009, Melia moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she continued her training by adding hip-hop classes through Dance 411 and Gotta Dance Atlanta. In addition to performances, Melia began teaching and choreographing at area studios before returning to Chicagoland.

Melia fuses her technical background and training into her hip hop classes and choreography for a style that is unique and entertaining.  She believes a strong technique base is important to growing and developing in the art form, and tries to communicate this along with an appreciation of expressiveness and musicality to her students of all levels, beginning to advanced. 

Melia currently teaches ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop in studios across the Chicagoland area. She has encountered teachers and mentors whom inspire her in both Atlanta and Chicago; including Kris Rhodes and Trae Turner. As she grows, she enjoys being able to share her passion and knowledge wherever and whenever she can.  

Come try a class with Melia.