Melina Rodriguez is from San Diego, CA, where she began dancing at the age of three. After moving to Orange County, she called Hart Academy her dance home for 13 years, competing for 8 of them. Her favorite styles are tap and jazz, though she also enjoys musical theater and contemporary. Melina recently graduated from nursing school and now works as an LVN at Kaiser Permanente, while also working toward her Lactation Consultant Certification through UCSD. She loves teaching because it allows her to share her passion for dance with the next generation of Hart students, just as she grew up doing herself. Coming full circle, Melina is excited to give Hart dancers the same joy, memories, and love for dance that shaped her own journey!