She embarked on her journey to learn dances from the West to the Far East including: African, Brazilian Samba, Bollywood and Indian Temple Dances (Bharata Natyam, Kathak, Odissi), Russian & Turkish Gypsy Dances, Spanish Flamenco and in 2002 started training in Praying Mantis Kung Fu, a traditional form of Chinese martial arts, because she couldn’t find a Chinese Dance instructor. Melanie was awarded 4 gold medals at the Chinese Martial Arts Tournaments in 2004 and 2005 in traditional forms, stick (staff), broadsword and continues practicing Martial Arts. While learning Kung Fu, she studied Chi Gong and Shan Meditation with a Shaolin Monk. In 2017, she traveled throughout China with Wahlum Kung Fu to trace their masters’ heritage. From that training, Melanie developed “BellyCHI”(R) Meditation in Motion with Chi Gong breathing/movements, ancient Belly Dance movements/mudras, chakra alignment.

Melanie is a professor of PE (Belly Dance Aerobics) at Valencia College West since 2012. She developed an easy way to learn Belly Dance with basic positions/posture/joint alignment for easier movement execution and certifies Belly Dance instructors in her A MAGI method of Belly Dance Instruction. Melanie is a long-standing member of UNESCO Council of International Dance (CID) and taught workshops and performed in 2018 and 2024 at their World Dance Congress in Athens Greece. Melanie has performed worldwide including Europe, Egypt (on a Nile Cruise ship), Morocco plus Caribbean cruise ships.

In 1990, Melanie started working as a performer in Entertainment at Universal Studios. She was soon promoted to Supervisor of Special Events Entertainment Productions spearheading that department and in charge of entertainment for events, tours, productions. She also performed and developed her own Gypsy Fortune Teller character there named after their NYC facade: Madam Basiel, at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights directing her own Belly Dance show and also as Cobra Lady (dancing with snake), She left in 1993 after the birth of her daughter to be a full-time mom and work on building her own business establishing A MAGI Entertainment/Dance Productions, Inc. A MAGI produces entertainment for corporate, family, college/school events & theme parks. Melanie handpicks professional entertainers for events including Belly Dancers, World Dance & Music, Fire Eaters/Dancers, Snake Charmers, Psychics (see www.amagipsychics.com , Henna Artists and more specialty & themed entertainment.

Melanie is a Reverend of the Universal Life Church and has officiated weddings, assisted in life passing, baby and home blessings.

Melanie loves to teach group and private classes and has been teaching Belly Dance since 1974 including teaching workshops throughout the US. To Melanie, it’s amazing to see women blossom and grow through this dance! Although she closed her well-established studio: A MAGI Temple World Dance School near downtown Orlando in 2020 during the pandemic shutdown, she decided that at 65 years it was time to retire as a studio owner. Melanie continues to teach classes that are well attended and includes many “life-long” students. Many of her students are members of her troupes and/or are professionals in the field.

Melanie is a recipient of several grants including 2 current grants from United Arts CFL entitled “Creative Aging” along with her multilingual assistant Wanda teaching World Dance & Beats at local adult day care and senior centers for members with dementia and Parkinson’s disease, an Individual Artist Grant from United Arts CFL, and a Massachusetts Arts Grant.

A MAGI troupes and Melanie perform at many community events throughout the years including IMMERSE Fest and Fusion Fest.

Want to perform with A MAGI? Attend regular classes and email: amagidance@yahoo.com Contact Or leave text at 352-600-0799

Dance for yourself – you’re own growth and discovery of how beautiful you are inside and out!