Melissa Martinez

Dancer, Faculty

The beats of conga and steel drums were a heavy influence on Melissa Martinez’ upbringing. Her love of dance and music was no surprise since her mother is from Trinidad & Tobago and her father from Puerto Rico. Two vibrant cultures combined created the foundation of Melissa’s love of art and dance.

Melissa started dancing at Regency Dance Academy in Richmond and progressed to classical ballet, training at The Richmond Ballet. A graduate of Henrico County Center For the Arts, Melissa trained under influential RVA artists and notable companies, such as NC State University’s Tara Mullins, Starr Foster of Starr Foster Dance, Ezibu Muntu Dance Company, and Founder, Ana Ines King (LBV). While attending Henrico High School, Melissa became Captain for the newly formed Henrico HS Marching Warriors Auxiliary Dance Team. She would also dance and cheer for the former minor league arena football team, Richmond Speed. After graduating from Henrico County Center for the Arts, Melissa assisted in several outreach programs with Latin Ballet.

In the last 17 years, Melissa’s passion for educating youth in the community has grown since working and teaching in RVA, including Henrico County and Richmond City Public Schools, private pre-schools, and local dance studios. She has been a faculty member of the after school and outreach program, and a professional dancer at the Latin Ballet of Virginia since 2008. Melissa’s motivation and mission is to share her love of dance through educating children and families in the community. Melissa is assistant to the Artistic Director of LBV and aids in the rehearsing of the existing repertoire and collaborating with Junior Company direction.