Melissa Raynor Berry Rogers is the Artistic Director/President of Forever Dance. She returned to her hometown of Lexington 2 years ago, after studying at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. While in the Big Apple, Melissa not only completed one of the most intense Dance and Musical Theatre programs in the country, but she also took classes at the legendary Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. She studied under nationally acclaimed choreographers such as: Frank Hatchett, David Howard, Jay T., Germaine Salsberg, and Mark Santoro, to name a few. She even had the opportunity to take many classes with THE ROCKETTES and Master Classes with Tap Legend, Savion Glover and Musical Theatre Icon, Anne Reinking. She also served as director for a Christian dance company that performed in Off-Broadway theatres around the city.Melissa has more than Ten years of teaching and choreography experience in South Carolina, New Jersey, New York and Tennessee. She has 27 years of performing experience under her belt as well. She got her first big break in a number of national TV commercials including Hardee’s, Kool-Aid, and Texize. She was also a successful Millie Lewis Model for many years and won 1st place in the National Models of the South Convention. Melissa has over 17 years of pageant experience, winning numerous titles on both the state and national level such as Little Miss South Carolina and America’s Young Miss.
During her 27 years of dancing, she attended national competitions and conventions, entertained for numerous charity events and appeared in many local theatrical productions. She even performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC.
Melissa’s faith is extremely important to her. She is a member of First Baptist of West Columbia. She is very dedicated and passionate about dance, and even more so about teaching. She is thrilled and feels very blessed that she is able to share the gifts and passions that God has given her to enrich the lives of others.
"Dancers are the athletes of God" - Albert Einstein