Elise Melendez is a Chicago-based arts manager, dance educator and nonprofit marketer with a strong commitment to fostering community. Beyond her work with Motivated Movers, Elise continues her commitment to the dance community as managing director of Denman Theatre & Dance Co, a New York based company dedicated to developing hybrid theatrical works using movement/dance as a primary storytelling device.  
 
With a bachelor’s in American Dance Pedagogy from Oklahoma City University and a master’s in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management from Columbia College Chicago, Elise has over a decade of experience in arts education and management. 
 
Off the dance floor Elise also serves as marketing manager for the American Marketing Association, the world’s largest community-based marketing association. Her past roles include casting director and assistant to the artistic director at Hangar Theatre; client services account executive for Prevail Strategic Marketing & Communications; strategic planning consultant for NPH USA, Chicago Woman magazine and World Future Society; and development consultant for Chicago Youth Shakespeare. Elise has also been a guest teaching artist/choreographer for arts organizations and educational institutions such as Hangar Theatre, Palace Theatre New Hampshire, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Applause, St. Norbert College and Oklahoma City University.
 
In episode 86, NYC-based actress and host Maggie Bera chats with Elise about the inspiration behind Motivated Movers, how they are continuing to serve dancers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her best advice to performers looking to start their own business.
 
https://www.instagram.com/elise.melendez/?hl=en
 
https://www.motivatedmoversnyc.com/about
 
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