Meet the staff

Mrs. Melissa Seiler

Mrs. Melissa graduated in May 2005 from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theater and Dance and a Minor in Music.

Through her University studies she has worked with several world renowned dance companies including: The Miami City Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and Alvin Alley American Dance Theater. She has trained with the Florida Association of Dance during a summer internship. She is a certified dance instructor through Southern Association of Dance Masters. She is also a member of Chicago National Association of Dance Masters.

All of this began from taking dance at Patti Simmons School of Dance where she was taught by Patti Simmons-Marriott for 18 years. During this time, she traveled with the School's Dance Team to many Dance Conventions and Competitions.

She started assisting Patti when she was 12 years old, and this training has given her the self confidence and ability to purchase and direct the Dance School as well as the commitment of continuing her education to better train your child.

She and her husband Rodney married on New Years Day 2005. Mrs.Melissa and Mr. Rodney are the proud parents of two children, both boys. Reid and Rhett.

Ms. Leah Crider

Bio Coming Soon!

Ms. Taylor Wooden

Ms. Taylor has had 15 years of dance experience. She was a student of MSPA for her last 2 years of high school. She continued her education in ballet, modern, jazz, and choreography classes at Southeast Missouri State University. She has also performed in many showcases at the the Southeast River Campus.

Her styles include: ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, aerial, African jazz, folk, pointe, trapeze, and sunu.

She has coached and choreographed many award winning pieces for our dance team including our Ballerina Team. Her favorite type of dance is ballet.

She has gained her certification in Yoga instruction and she now includes her knowledge in her classes. She also offers Yoga classes for adults as well.

Fun facts about Ms. Taylor. Ms. Taylor has won 3 hula hooping competitions. Her favorite color is red. She loves cheese dip and Chili's. Her go to drink is a cherry limeade from sonic. When she has downtime, she likes to relax at home with her dog though she does enjoy a vacation to the beach. Ms. Taylor likes nice pointed toes with no sickle. She looks up to Mr. Rogers and give advice that just because you failed, doesn't mean you have to stop trying.

Mrs. Dawn Hawkins-Office Manager

Mrs. Dawn came to work at the studio in 2015. When Mrs. Carolyn retired, Mrs. Dawn took her position as the office manager.

Mrs. Dawn keeps the student accounts organized and accurate.

Mrs. Dawn enjoys being at the studio. She loves getting to know our dance parents. She easily makes conversation with everyone and is always very helpful to everyone. She also organizes many fundraisers for our studio-helping to make dance affordable for all. She is in charge of our Outreach program that helps give a child who would otherwise not be able to afford, the opportunity to dance and also our Blessing Box that resides in the front of the studio. The Blessing Box provides food and other hygiene items for those who are in need.

She and her husband Matt married in June 2001 and they have four children. Gretchen, Elizabeth, Ethan and Lorelai.

Ms. Amanda Perry-Office Assistant

Ms. Amanda officially joined the staff in 2009 working alongside Mrs. Carolyn in the office. She helped out before that when Mrs. Carolyn was not able to come. She graduated from high school in 2004 and attended Metro Business College and obtained a degree in Medical Secretary.

After a couple of years of searching, she decided to return to college and received a degree in Early Childhood Education from SEMO in 2013. She is currently a teacher for the Kelly School District in Benton, MO.

Melissa's Studio of Performing Arts

Meet the Staff

Mrs. Melissa Seiler

Mrs. Melissa graduated in May 2005 from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theater and Dance and a Minor in Music.

All of this began from taking dance at Patti Simmons School of Dance where she was taught by Patti Simmons-Marriott for 18 years. During this time, she traveled with the School's Dance Team to many Dance Conventions and Competitions.

She started assisting Patti when she was 12 years old, and this training has given her the self confidence and ability to purchase and direct the Dance School as well as the commitment of continuing her education to better train your child.

She and her husband Rodney married on New Years Day 2005. Mrs.Melissa and Mr. Rodney are the proud parents of two children, both boys. Reid and Rhett.

Ms. Taylor Wooden

Her styles include: ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, aerial, African jazz, folk, pointe, trapeze, and sunu.

She has coached and choreographed many award winning pieces for our dance team including our Ballerina Team. Her favorite type of dance is ballet.

She has gained her certification in Yoga instruction and she now includes her knowledge in her classes. She also offers Yoga classes for adults as well.

Mrs. Dawn Hawkins-Office Manager

Mrs. Dawn came to work at the studio in 2015. When Mrs. Carolyn retired, Mrs. Dawn took her position as the office manager.

Mrs. Dawn keeps the student accounts organized and accurate.

She and her husband Matt married in June 2001 and they have four children. Gretchen, Elizabeth, Ethan and Lorelai.

Ms. Amanda Perry-Office Assistant

Ms. Amanda officially joined the staff in 2009 working alongside Mrs. Carolyn in the office. She helped out before that when Mrs. Carolyn was not able to come. She graduated from high school in 2004 and attended Metro Business College and obtained a degree in Medical Secretary.

After a couple of years of searching, she decided to return to college and received a degree in Early Childhood Education from SEMO in 2013. She is currently a teacher for the Kelly School District in Benton, MO.

Ms. Amanda Loves working at the dance studio. She loves everyone she works with and she enjoys watching the children grow throughout the years.

Meet the Staff

Mrs. Melissa Seiler

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Mrs. Melissa graduated in May 2005 from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theater and Dance and a Minor in Music.

​

All of this began from taking dance at Patti Simmons School of Dance where she was taught by Patti Simmons-Marriott for 18 years. During this time, she traveled with the School's Dance Team to many Dance Conventions and Competitions.

​

She started assisting Patti when she was 12 years old, and this training has given her the self confidence and ability to purchase and direct the Dance School as well as the commitment of continuing her education to better train your child.

​

She and her husband Rodney married on New Years Day 2005. Mrs.Melissa and Mr. Rodney are the proud parents of two children, both boys. Reid and Rhett.

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Ms. Taylor Wooden

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Her styles include: ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, aerial, African jazz, folk, pointe, trapeze, and sunu.

​

She has coached and choreographed many award winning pieces for our dance team including our Ballerina Team. Her favorite type of dance is ballet.

​

She has gained her certification in Yoga instruction and she now includes her knowledge in her classes. She also offers Yoga classes for adults as well.

​

​

​

Mrs. Dawn Hawkins-Office Manager

​

Mrs. Dawn came to work at the studio in 2015. When Mrs. Carolyn retired, Mrs. Dawn took her position as the office manager.

​

Mrs. Dawn keeps the student accounts organized and accurate.

​

​

She and her husband Matt married in June 2001 and they have four children. Gretchen, Elizabeth, Ethan and Lorelai.

​

Ms. Amanda Perry-Office Assistant

​

Ms. Amanda officially joined the staff in 2009 working alongside Mrs. Carolyn in the office. She helped out before that when Mrs. Carolyn was not able to come. She graduated from high school in 2004 and attended Metro Business College and obtained a degree in Medical Secretary.

​

After a couple of years of searching, she decided to return to college and received a degree in Early Childhood Education from SEMO in 2013. She is currently a teacher for the Kelly School District in Benton, MO.

​

Ms. Amanda Loves working at the dance studio. She loves everyone she works with and she enjoys watching the children grow throughout the years.

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