Instructors

Melissa Saphir

Melissa Saphir began dancing in 1999 at the Metronome Ballroom in San Francisco, after completing her PhD in Communication at Stanford University. Her first love was Lindy Hop, but she discovered a passion for Smooth dances after enrolling in Diane Jarmolow's Ballroom Dance Teachers College (BDTC). She graduated at the top of her class in 2001 and stepped out of her research career to teach dance at the Metronome.

Melissa has been a Master Teacher for BDTC since 2006, training aspiring teachers in Smooth, Rhythm, and nightclub dances. She is co-author of the master teacher's manuals in BDTC in a Box, a technical curriculum and business guide for studios setting up their own teacher training programs. She also assists in the editing of Dance Vision syllabus manuals.

Melissa's credentials include DVIDA Associate and Master Certifications in American Style Smooth and Rhythm; DVIDA Associate, Master, and Grand Master Certifications in Argentine Tango; and DVIDA Associate Certification in International Style Standard.

Melissa is also a DVIDA Regional Examiner.