Melissa Turka

Instructor

Melissa Turka grew up dancing at Encore Dance Center and decided to pursue her love of dance at DeSales University where she received her B.A in Dance in 2016, along with minors in both Business and Psychology. After graduating, Melissa performed professionally as a freelance artist in and around the Philly area before returning back to Encore to teach. On top of teaching regularly, Melissa is currently the co-founder, assistant artistic director and company dancer for emme dance collective, a non-profit professional dance company in Lancaster, PA.

Melissa Turka Headshot

Melissa Teaches

Toddler
Encore Dance Center offers toddler dance classes starting at age 2. We focus on fun, rhythm, and developing motor skills.
Modern
Modern dance is an expressive style of dance created in the early 20th century that moved away from the structure of classical ballet technique. Modern dance is an integration of technique, floor work, dynamic athletic, and abstract movement. Modern dance is constantly evolving and growing with the contemporary movement of today while staying true to the technique created by the pioneers of modern dance.
Ballet
In Ballet class, emphasis is placed on age appropriate training, terminology, classical form and training each individual dancer to reach their personal goals. Our ballet program begins with a movement vocabulary that caters to the young mind and body which is shown in our creative movement classes. Ballet at Encore is taught with a passion and love for classical ballet movement.
Lyrical
Lyrical is an expressive form of dance that incorporates a fusion of ballet and jazz dance styles. Many times, this style tells a story through choreography and dance phrases inspired by the lyrics of the song being used. Dancers are encouraged to explore their emotions and movement through improvisation. A strong ballet and jazz foundation enhances the quality of movement.
Jazz
This fun class combines upbeat, stylized movement with proper technique. Jazz dance is based on ballet principals with each class consisting of a warm-up using isolated movements, across the floor progressions and current choreography all set to age appropriate music.

What People are Saying

The Encore teachers helped me to become a dancer instead of just taking dance classes. Through dance, I have developed my performance skills and my confidence. The friendships I have made here will last a lifetime. Encore is not only a dance studio, it’s my 2nd home.

Encore has been our daughter’s dance studio for the past 5 years. With the help of the caring staff at Encore we have watched her dance skills and confidence grow. The staff meets each child where they are and helps the dancers to better themselves both on and off the stage. The welcoming environment of Encore encourages relationships between the younger and older dancers, providing our daughter and many other young dancers with exceptional role models. Miss Alvina has worked hard to build this amazing studio and we consider ourselves lucky to have found such a great dance home for our daughter.

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