Fall ‘09 Featured DivaGirl Licensee: Melissa Spence!
DivaGirl is proud to announce that Melissa Spence has been selected as the Fall 2009 Featured DivaGirl Licensee! Melissa is passionate, energetic and a great addition to the DivaGirl team. Please read up on Melissa and why we think she consitutes as a true Diva!! In our appreciation, Melissa is awarded with a $50 Value DivaGirl Prize Pack! Congrats Melissa!
Melissa Spence (Milton/Burlington, ON)
1. What are three words that best describe Melissa Spence?
- Creative: I like to express my creativity through dance. I observe people’s body language and interrupt it into dance moves! I also like to fuse different styles of dance and music together to change things up and be out of the norm.
- Enthusiastic: I get very excited when I teach! Sometimes a bit silly to get the group to unwind. Dance brings energy through my body and help to express my passion and excitement.
- Passionate: I believe in dance and what it does for the human body. It heals, creates enjoyment, satisfaction, personality, confidence and endurance. I like to feel the music, the moves and the emotions!!!
2. Tell us a bit about yourself: the true Diva.
- I have been obsessed with dance for over 20 years
- I am an Instructor, Dancer and Performer
- I work full time for one of the leading financial institutions in Canada for 6 years and teach 6 days a week at locations across the GTA and surrounding areas
- I am the Artistic Director and Owner of Dance Fitness Canada and two companies launching in January/February 2010
- I like to experience what the world has to offer through travelling
- I am a certified Wedding and Event Planner
- I studied and graduated from Humber College in Business & Marketing
- I have received certifications in various styles of dance and will be completing several more courses in the next year
- I’m waiting for my 1st home to be built for early next year in Burlington!
- I take part in various fundraisers across the GTA yearly! Red cross “Big Bike”, United Way “CN Tower Climb”, “DivaGirl’s Fight for a Cure” and others
- I enjoy planning events for women and taking part in making a difference in someone’s life
- I have helped DivaGirl Fitness (formally Sensual Dance for Women) at the HealthyGirl Expo, Fuller Women Expo, Divalicious, Be a Diva and many private functions
- Dance never feels like work! I feel like it’s a privilege to offer these amazing classes to women all over
- When I’m not dancing or working I like to spend time with my other half (Rick), my twp beautiful puppies (Lady & Tia) and spending time with family and friends. I enjoy the company of others!
- My puppies are Divas too! They both have shirts that say “Mama’s little Diva”!
- I like drafting business plans and action plans (all women involved) to promote Divas everywhere
3. How did you get into teaching dance/fitness? Tell us about your experiences in the industry.
- I have been dancing since I was a “lil’ Diva”, studying various styles of Dance such as Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Ballet, Acro and Lyrical at Theatre of Dance Arts.
- I went on to be a competitive student for 10 years along with being a Teacher Assistant and subbing classes throughout the weeks.
- I travelled across Canada & USA for dance competitions through this time. I stopped dancing/teaching for about 2 ½ years while graduating from High School and starting College. Throughout that time I always felt like I was missing something.
- I started to take some adult classes throughout the week and build my muscles and new techniques up and then started teaching again.
- Since I have rejoined the industry, I have reached out to the women communities, performed/instructed at Expos and Events, taught private classes and women’s parties, instructed workshops and volunteer for numerous dance/fitness networks across the GTA and surrounding.
- The industry always keeps me involved with new techniques, movements, music and so forth. A dance class always keeps you on your toes and there is never a dull moment!
- There is always something evolving in the industry! Whether its classes, workshops, certifications, performance and so for.
- I have met thousands of amazing dancers, instructors and performers throughout the years.
- I have learnt a lot about expression, drive, attitude, marketing, technique, through Laura Furtado. She takes pride in what she knows and loves to teach others of her knowings.
4. Why did you decide join DivaGirl?
I joined DivaGirl Fitness for numerous reasons:
- I had been teaching for Laura Furtado’s Sensual Dance for Women for 2 years prior.
- I was ready to branch into different communities to offer classes to women.
- DivaGirl Fitness is a great women’s network that keeps you up to date with new trends, dance/fitness classes, ladies nights and events. Many women don’t know where to look for things like this and DivaGirl Fitness is a One Stop Shop! We promote health, fitness, self confidence, well being. Personality, excitement and so much more. It is a great way to meet amazing students and network with Canada’s talented instructors.
- It’s fun, it promotes women and we make you sweat!
5. Tell us a bit about the classes/workshops that you offer to the DivaGirl Community.
- I offer a wide variety of classes in Milton and Burlington. Currently right now I have; Zumba, Dance Grooves, Girl-A-Licious and Diva Tush & Tummy. I hold classes on weekends and throughout the week at both locations.
- Workshops are offered monthly at the Milton location and will start at the Burlington location shortly. I like to offer these workshops because the students get a taste of different styles from different instructors. It’s way for students to express themselves in a different genre of movements and style!
- I like to offer classes in mornings and evenings. Our lives get so busy that having the flexibility to attend a class at different times of the day and days of the week is a perk!
- Offering the same classes over and over again get boring! I like to change the session to keep the body moving, pumping and sweating!
6. Why should women attend your DivaGirl classes/workshops?
- I create a fun, energetic and “Yes You Can” atmosphere!
- I like to be out of the norm and unique with techniques, music and style
- You’re guaranteed to sweat!!!
- I like to build confidence in women and bring out the Diva in them!
- I’m not only a dance instructor; I am a coach, a supporter and a friend.
7. What are your top three tips to help women get fit, have fun and feel sexy?
- Release your body and let yourself go!!!! Once you forget about the others around you, you fall into your own world where the music and the movements take you over!
- Eat balanced meals. I like to get my food ready the night before so I’m not rushing and throwing all the fillers into my lunch bag.
- Get 7-8 hours Rest! Sleep is so important. It allows your body to rebuild itself!
8. Are there any upcoming workshops/events/projects that you are working on, that you would like to share to the DivaGirl community?
- I’m always planning, planning, planning!
- October 4, 2009 I am hosting “DivaGirl’s Fight for a Cure” breast cancer benefit in Mississauga.
- Laura Furtado will be instructing Octobers featured Workshop “Damn! You a Sexy Witch! On Friday, October 23, 2009 from 7:00 pm-8:00 pm. You don’t want to miss this workshop!!
- November’s featured workshop is “Diva’s Howdown Throwdown”. Come experience various songs from the country genre. Get ready to Kick up those heels, bow to your partner and Yeh Haw!!!! Workshops will be held in Milton on: Friday, November 20, 2009 from 7:15-8:15 pm and Burlington on: Monday, November 16, 2009 from 8:45-9:45 pm.
- December’s featured workshops: “Sexy Santa”-Chair tease and “Jingle Bell Rock”. Details coming soon!
- I am currently working on a few expansions of classes that will be up in the early New Year, along with some new fun and sexy class sessions coming in January!!! News about these events will be coming out in December!
9. Final comments?
- Free yourself, Free your mind and be You!
- The “Yes” Lady: I have always gone by saying “Yes you Can”!!!! Never say you can’t, there is no such word. I’m very positive and believe in myself and others who surround me; family, friends, students, colleagues. When the going get tough, just yell out “Yes I CAN!!!”
- “While I dance I can not judge, I can not hate, I can not separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. This is why I dance.” -Hans Bos
- Thousands of emotions well up inside me throughout the day. They are released when I dance. -Abraham Lincony
October 12th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Congrats Melissa!!
October 5th, 2009 at 1:20 am
Congratulations Melissa. You truly deserve this.
October 1st, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Congrats Melissa!!