Melissa Schott

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Teacher Bio

Melissa Schott is a performer and choreographer residing in New York City. She has had tap shoes on her feet since she was four years old and approaches her craft from a musical background.

She is no stranger to the stage, most recently performing Randy Skinner’s Broadway revival choreography in North Shore Music Theatre’s 42 Street (Peggy Sawyer u/s, Ensemble) under Director/Choreographer Kelli Barclay. She has been an invited guest artist at Carnegi...read more

Melissa Schott is a performer and choreographer residing in New York City. She has had tap shoes on her feet since she was four years old and approaches her craft from a musical background.

She is no stranger to the stage, most recently performing Randy Skinner’s Broadway revival choreography in North Shore Music Theatre’s 42 Street (Peggy Sawyer u/s, Ensemble) under Director/Choreographer Kelli Barclay. She has been an invited guest artist at Carnegie Hall’s Medal of Excellence Gala, as well as at Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Spring Gala: A Celebration of Women in the Arts (alongside Chita Rivera, Gloria Estefan, Vanessa Williams and Rita Moreno). Melissa was a member of the national company of Cirque du Soleil’s Banana Shpeel, choreographed by Jared Grimes and directed by David Shiner. Under the direction of Tony Award Winner, Walter Bobbie, and with choreography from four-time Tony Award Nominee, Randy Skinner, she was thrilled to be part of the national company of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Judy Haynes u/s, Ensemble).

Melissa has enjoyed touring North America and Canada as a featured vocalist in the Classic FM Pops Concert with Maestro Jack Everly. Favorite regional performances include Peggy in 42 Street, Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Patsy in Always… Patsy Cline. She is a frequent soloist for MTI’s Broadway Jr. recordings, including Ruth in Pirates of Penzance, Witch in Into the Woods, and Violet and Mrs. Gloop in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

She enjoys her role as choreographer for Music K-8 Magazine (a national subscription for music teachers, which brings movement into the classroom as a supplement to a child’s music education) and as an educator in the art of tap dance. As an award-winning choreographer, she offers a fresh approach to artistic quality and advanced musicality. Former students have received regional, national, and scholarship award recognitions and have been accepted to tap and musical theatre programs across the country.

Please visit www.MelissaSchott.com for more information.

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Class Descriptions

Tap

Melissa’s Tap Class is rooted in fundamentals, technique and musicality. Students will begin with warm-up, move into across the floor exercises and finish with a combination. By building upon basics, dancers will focus on rhythmic clarity, crisp sounds and clean movement. Melissa enjoys sharing concepts and terminology that aid student progress.

This ultimately results in dancers picking up choreography more quickly, as well as, finding joy and confidence in their shoes. Stylistically, expect combinations to be musically driven in a variety of formats, from acoustic to the golden age of movie musicals. Also, be ready to embrace the space between the sounds – often the most challenging piece of the tap dance puzzle. With a solid foundation, tap dancers can be ready for any style!