I could go back to real estate, I could go back to my normal life (but whats normal after salsa?), I could dedicate more time to my boyfriend, but then again I was young and wanted to see the world.I wasn't sure. It was then that Luis asked me if I was interested in dancing with him. He was looking for a partner and I didn't want to go back to my job. So I agreed. Together, Luis and I finished the Salsa Brava 'Fever' choreography for the infamous LA Congress and it was the last time Salsa Brava performed. The following year we took off to Switzerland for what was suppose to be a year. One year became two, two became three and now its 10 years that I'm here in Europe. I've lived in Lugano, Milan, Rome, Heidelberg and now I'm currently based in Karlsruhe, Germany. I've just recently made a big decision to permanently move back to Los Angeles in September.
You have performed and taught all over the world, what was the most special location?
Latin E-Magazine, that's a hard question. If I had to select, it would be the Los Angeles Childrens' Hospital Performance. As a volunteer, I performed with friends. It's one of the greatest gifts to see the eyes of the children as you perform in front of them. They light up and shower me with love inside my heart. Performing for children is probably one of my most memorable experiences, one that fills my soul with reason and love. Children are the future and I love kids. When they hug you or kiss you, its genuine. Its because they are filled with joy. You become an inspiration for a lot of them.
Do you have a country on your wish list?
Yes I do! I've never been to Australia. I just recently returned from Thailand and Singapore and those were countries on my wish list. I've heard Australia is marvelous. One day I hope to go. .
What is your connection with Luis Vazquez?
Luis Vazquez is my main dance partner. I currently have 3 dance partners and Luis is the one I've been dancing with the most and the longest. He's my principal partner. His paved the way for many dancers such as myself. We haven't been dancing as intensely as we use to. We've both moved to different countries in the name of love. Its taken a toll on our choreographies but luckily we still have a great dancing connection and can easily pick up exactly where we left off. I am also dancing with two other men in different countries. I contantly get asked for shows and when Luis isn't available I perform with my other partners. I don't know what will happen when I go to LA in September, perhaps I will hold an audition for a new partner. I don't have concrete plans, lets see what the future holds.
What are the Salsa Divas?
Ohhhh MY BABIES!!! I love Mels Dancing Divas. This is a group of students that learn a choreography from me. After training for months together we perform our show at different congresses. Mels Dancing Divas don't get paid because they are not professionals. But we do get to perform all over the world whenever we can. Its a truly a wonderful experience. I had auditions in April of 2012. I wanted to combine two of my passions – choreography and performance. And nothing but greatness has come out of Mels Dancing Divas. Season 1 was a tremendous success with our hit 'Hit the Road Jack!' show. Then 6 months later I had auditions again. Season 2 toured with our 'Chorus Line Diva' show. And now we are touring the world with 'Mels Dancing Divas Airlines', in which we are sexy & sassy airline stewardesses making a stopp in Cuba, New York and Los Angeles. I personally have fun choreographing and its what I love doing the most. I enjoy dreaming and creating choreographies from the beginning and then seeing my work on stage. Check out www.melsdancingdivas.com. Maybe I'll be having auditions in America for Season 4.
How long does take to create and train for a new show?
In general it takes about 3-6 weeks to create a good quality choreography. Sometimes it takes 1 month to put something together or even 2 hours to put some dance steps together. It really varies for every choreographer and performer. Sometimes I watch movies and I'm immediately inspired and then it will take me 2 weeks to finish a choreography. But then it needs to be molded and transformed. Other times I'm lacking inspiration and it takes me longer to puzzle a choreography together. It also depends on time availability, talent and how well the dancer absorbs the material and is able to present it on the dance floor. The number of hours the dancer(s) train is also of crucial essence. The important thing is to keep an open mind and know that a good choreography needs to be molded, modified and transformed. It has to become a shapeable vessel to adapt. Sometimes as choreographers we imagine things and then when we put it in practice we aren't happy with the outcome, or it doesn’t go with the music, or it doesn't fit as we thought it would, so we have to be flexible in our approach and practice. Once you obtain a winning choreography, then its most likely I won't change it. I have tons of students and couples who come to visit me in Germany so that I can coach and train them for a new show. These students spend a week or two with me and we're in the studio 3 to 4 hours a day. But before we meet at the studio, we're on skype fixing the music, arranging the feeling and narrowing down our goals. I love choreographing and if anyone is ever interested, drop me an email. My true passion is dreaming.
What has been your nicest or most memorable dancing/teaching experience until now?
I have so many accumulated memories through out the years, its hard to select just one. I'm happy about my 9 DVD Instructional Collection. I've always dreamed of making a DVD and now I've made 9 Instructional DVD's. It started off in Los Angeles with : Mels Moves, Vol I – The Ingredients to Ladies Styling then Mels Moves Vol II, then Mels Hot Salsa Moves Vol III. I made 3 instructional DVDs with my partner Luis Vazquez. And now I just recently made my latest 3 DVD Set: Duo Set – 'Mels 25 Sexy Moves' and my partnering DVD 'Mels Hot Salsa Moves for Men & Women'. I'm happy to be able to share my moves, dance secrets and techniques to students worldwide. I understand not everyone can come to Germany to take my lessons so a DVD is great way to learn from me in the comfort of your own home or in front of your laptop or ipad. Each DVD is on sale for 20 euros and if you purchase 3 or more, I will give you a discount. Check out my store: www.melissafernandez.com
I also love helping people find their salsa style so I have to say that teaching a private lesson brings me lots of personal joy. I love performing on television, love hosting and moderating at congresses. This is my new thing. I love traveling and sharing my passion of salsa worldwide. I love hearing Salsa stories and how Salsa has changed their lives too. There's lots of experiences I enjoy but one thing I personally love is dancing to live music! Music is the reason we dance. Without music there is no dance and dancing to live music whether its on the social dance floor or on stage is quite the adrenaline. One performance I'll never forget happened in Sofia, Bulgaria some years ago. The Saturday night show theme was 'Palladium, the Mambo Years' and legendary musician Mr. Herman Olivera was singing on stage. Months before we coordinated with Eric Lalta, director of the musical, the song we wanted to perform to and then the musicians cut the music for us. They rehearsed and we rehearsed in two different countries. On the afternoon on the day of the performance we got together with Mr. Olivera, the musicians and the show teams that had previously prepared showcases. That night, we rocked the show like no other! Everything was live. The stage was vibrating, the people were stomping, Mr. Herman Olivera was singing and we were dancing live in real time to the music. It was such a High!
What are your ambitions?
My ambitions are to focus on 2014. I have many new projects coming up and of course my big move to the city of angeles in September. After 10 years of being in Europe, I've decided to return to the city where I was born, the sunny City of Angels. I miss my family, the sun, the people, the magic in the air and so many more other things. LA is where I feel my best. I've also decided to focus my energy on whats important for me right now and that is my family, my love and everyone close to me. I've decided that I want to spend more time on myself, reinventing myself, learning new things and upgrading in all aspects of life. I feel like I've been on a lively roller coaster for the past 10 years and now I want to slow down and jump on another ride. I love my life and love every moment of being who I am. I embrace all of who I am in the good and in the bad, I love me in my dark and I love me in the good. I love me when I give and at times its the simplest gesture I adore. I appreciate life. I feel like I'm the luckiest woman on earth to do what I love to do and make it my business. My ambitions have taken a new path and I'm excited! I'm dedicating time to myself and the ones I love this 2014. I've also started a new video teaching project. I will show a salsa move in every country I'm in. It started when I was in Naples for Christmas, then in Singpore and I just recently published one in Bangkok, Thailand. I show between 2 and 4 counts of eight and then I break down the move, add some fun pictures and a song famous in that country. I can't wait to do one for the Netherlands!
What would be your advice to beginning or advanced salsa dancers?
Salsa Advise: Don't stop dancing. If you need to take a break, do so. If you need to change teachers, do so. If you need to try something new, do so but don't give up. You will fall while spinning, you will elbow someone while dancing, you will hit road blocks but once you reach Salsa Paradise, you'll understand many things and you'll find new horizons. Salsa dancing is such a joy! Where else can you express yourself on the dance floor, while singing and jamming it up to awesome Latin music?! And then we have Bachata! Oh la la... Make time for yourself and your salsa. If you don't have a partner, thats ok. If you're constantly fighting with your partner, then get a new one. If Salsa isn't making you happy anymore, then change instructors. Travel, take lessons because you will never know it all. No one ever does. You don't get to the top and think you know it all. Salsa is constantly changing, so change with it. Share your passion of dancing with others and keep salsa hot and alive! Network, make connections, make friends. Some of my salsa students are now my best friends and lots of people fall in love through Salsa too!“Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are great because of their passion.”― (Martha Graham)