Faculty

Melanie Cotton

Melanie Cotton, a Philadelphia native, began her dance training with ballet, jazz, and African Dance. At 13, Melanie enrolled at the prestigious Freedom Theater School of Performing Arts, where she studied modern dance, West African, jazz and musical theater. Melanie then studied with pioneering Hip Hop performers such as Buddha Stretch, Tweetie, and "BK" Terry. She continued her studies with Moncell Durden, Rennie Harris, and the creator of locking, Don "Campbell Lock" Campbell. In 2003, Melanie became a principal dancer and choreographer for Philadelphia's premier, all female, Hip-Hop dance crew, Montazh Performing Arts Company. Most recently Melanie has been dancing with the world renowned Hip-Hop company, Rennie Harris Puremovement, with whom she performs and teaches around the world. Using Hip-Hop to empower and transform youth, Melanie is the youth facilitator and instructor with "Moving Creations: Girls on the Move". Melanie's love of dance and performance arts has led her to share it with others by teaching around the Philadelphia area.