MELANIE HOLT
Professional Dancer.
Choreographer.
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Melanie Holt grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she trained at Dance Dimensions, West Michigan Dance Center and Grand Rapids Ballet Company. Melanie performed works by Mandy Moore, Lauren Adams, Jenn Freeman, Liz Schmidt, Justine Menter, and Katie Reece. Melanie performed in the opening number for Nigel Lithgoe’s Dizzy Feet Foundation Gala and was the captain of the Rockford Varsity Dance Team, which she later coached for a season.
She recently graduated with honors from the University of Michigan with a BFA in Dance and minor in American Culture. The dance department allowed her to study closely with Robert Battle, Amy Chavasse, Peter Sparling, Ron DeJesus and Judy Rice performing at the Detroit Institute of Art, The Michigan Stadium, American Dance Festival, ACDA, Oakland Dance Festival, and in adjacent fields within School of Music, Theatre, and Dance and beyond.
Throughout her time in college, Melanie sat on the Student Executive boards for University Musical Society and Michigan Hackers and held many leadership positions with Dance Student Assembly and YoungLife College. Her passion for Fundraising and Development led her to internships with UM School of Music, Theatre, and Dance and the American Dance Festival.
Melanie resides in Chicago, just finished her Yoga Certification and dances as much as possible, usually in public.
"My heartbeat quickens at the thought of performing, which is why I will never stop."
BIOGRAPHY
ARTIST STATEMENT
I move with extreme physicality. Feeling myself drawn to strong movement, I aim to execute this level of athleticism in my dancing. I find the body’s ability to make unique shapes and evoke emotions remarkable. I am a strong technical dancer. As a performer and artist, I seek to develop an emotional intensity that is relatable to my viewers.
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I aim to make engaging dances, and my work is inspired by text, love, shapes, music, and daily endeavors. I focus on the dancers and the task at hand when creating. In order to create a powerful statement I often use each individual's strengths to formulate series of repetition and unison throughout a piece.
I was encouraged to take the busyness of life into the studio rather than leave it at the door, using personal events to feed my creative process. Doing one thing a day that scares me has shaped who I am as a person and challenges me to grow as an artist.
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You can find out more about me by checking out my social media pages or sending me a message under the Contact page!
