Dance and performing artist Melanie Swihart began her career in West Lafayette, Indiana at the Morton Community Center where she attributes her passion for dance and growth as a performer. She holds her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and Dance from Ball State University, and a Master of Fine Arts from The University of Iowa. Throughout her career she has performed numerous works locally, regionally, and internationally with the Ball State Dance Theatre, University of Iowa Dancers In Company, DoubleTake Dance Co., ANAHATA, The NEXT Stage Project, among others. She has trained under such renowned choreographers as Bill Evans, David Hochoy of Dance Kaleidoscope, Jennifer Medina, Audra Sokol, former Paul Taylor company member Dave Grenke, Christopher K. Morgan of Washington DC’s CKMA, and Jenna Riegel of Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company.

Melanie has immersed herself in the practice of yoga in order to gain the most complete sense of interconnectivity between life, passions, and self. She is certified and licensed as a yoga teacher and Mind Body Dancer® teacher through the Perri Institute for Mind and Body. She taught for the Perri Institute at Steps on Broadway and Dance New Amsterdam; from there she implemented the Mind Body Dancer® curriculum for the dancers at The University of Iowa.
Currently, Melanie is a freelance artist in Atlanta. She teaches part-time at Agnes Scott College, Atlanta Dance Theater, and FineArtsMatter. Her most recent endeavors include collaboration with Philadelphia based artist Myra Bazelle of SCRAP Performance Group, and working toward her 200-RYT certificate at Peachtree Yoga Center. She will be relocating to Muncie, IN for the Spring 2017 semester to teach full time at her alma mater, Ball State University.

 

PERRI INSTITUTE LICENSES

yoga, 2012

mind body dancer, 2012

 

SPECIALTIES

yoga

 

DEGREES

BS, Ball State University

MFA, University of Iowa

 

CONTINUING ED + PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

20hr yin yoga certification

 

LOCATION

indiana


 
 

why did you choose your pathway?

I don't really think I chose teaching and performance as my pathway, rather these ways of living chose me. When I was young and beginning to take jazz classes it became very apparent that this was something in which I could excel, and that communicating through my body and then through words was a strong tool that I cherish(ed). For whatever reason I listened to my intuitive nature as a child and followed a passion of mine that blossomed into the desire to share with others.