Today we’d like to introduce you to Carmelina Cafaro.
Carmelina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Carmelina Cafaro. I was born and raised in Italy, in Vallo della Lucania, in the province of Salerno. I took my first dance steps when I was only three years old, and I danced my entire life in Italy. I earned my diploma in dance, specializing in Academic Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Hip Hop, from my hometown dance studio.
During my years in Italy, I had the opportunity to compete in many competitions and was honored to make it to the finals of the television competition Trofeo Stefania Rotolo. I also received several dance scholarships when I was younger. After earning my dance diploma, I began teaching dance to wonderful young dancers in Italy.
At the same time, I worked at my parents’ beach club and restaurant, Lido Scirocco in Ascea Marina, helping my family while attending college. Once I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Education, I decided to move to the United States because my mother’s side of the family lives here in Hazleton and owns businesses. I was that lucky Italian dancer who was able to move to America and live her dream.
I have always had a passion for children. When I was ten years old, my little brother was born, and from that moment I always carried that nurturing, protective love inside me. There is nothing better than children.
I moved to the United States in February 2016, where I continued to expand my dance education by attending workshops in New York City and pursuing various certifications. I believe it is extremely important to continue learning and to have proper credentials in dance, especially when teaching ballet.
While living here, I continued teaching dance at a local dance studio, worked as a teacher at Helping Hand Society, and continued my education. I became a proud American citizen in 2019, and a few years later I earned my Master’s Degree in Psychology from Grand Canyon University.
Dance is my biggest passion. I cannot live without it, and watching my students grow and improve is a reward that is difficult to put into words.
With a lot of fear, but even more determination, I opened my own dance studio, Melina’s Attitude School of Dance, in June 2023 at 658 Pardeesville Road, Hazle Township, PA 18202, where we are still proudly located today.
Dancing has always been in my blood. Ever since I was little, it made me feel happy, free, and able to express emotions that words could never explain. I have always believed that dance can say far more than words ever could.
I am the owner of Melina’s Attitude School of Dance and personally teach all dance styles, with the incredible support of my husband, Gianluca, who helps make everything possible; especially our annual recital. I also have wonderful helpers who assist me throughout the season.
Since opening, we have consistently had around 50 students enrolled. Summers are naturally a little slower, as they are for most dance studios, but we continue to grow each year. Last year, we were honored to welcome a special guest dancer from Spain, and one of my goals is to continue bringing international teachers to our studio to offer workshops and unique learning experiences for our students.
We offer high-quality, professional ballet training through the Vaganova Technique, along with lyrical, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, tap, gymnastics, and technique classes. We also offer technique classes for dancers who may not enjoy ballet but still want to build strong fundamentals. Ballet is challenging, but proper technique is the foundation of every dance style and is the safest way to develop as a dancer.
Our students perform throughout the year in many community events. In addition to our annual recital every May, we perform at the Italian Festival at Community Park, dance behind Jessica Lynn during her Christmas concert at the Sherman Theater, present our own Christmas performance, and participate in many community events whenever we are invited. We love giving our dancers opportunities to perform and share their talents.
One of the programs that means the most to me is our Dance Therapy class, and I believe it deserves special attention.
The idea for this class came to me when I first opened the studio. My experience working at Helping Hand Society truly changed my life. I had the privilege of teaching both typically developing children and children with special needs, and I learned so much from every one of them.
I wanted to create an opportunity for children on the autism spectrum to experience the joy of dance, perform on a stage, have fun, relax through music, and simply be themselves. Music can be incredibly therapeutic, and dance allows children to express themselves in ways that words sometimes cannot.
One of the biggest reasons I wanted to create this class was for the parents. Every parent deserves the opportunity to sit in an audience and watch their child perform on stage. There are very few opportunities like this in our area for children with special needs, and I wanted to help change that, even if only in a small way.
Our Dance Therapy class is 40 minutes long and is designed specifically for children on the autism spectrum. We dance to music while incorporating tools such as trampolines, balls, blocks, tunnels, and other sensory activities to help children feel comfortable, engaged, and free to move at their own pace.
Last year, we had five children enrolled in the program, and we truly hope to welcome many more families as people learn about what we offer. There is nothing more rewarding than watching these children smile, grow, and perform. It is one of the most emotional and meaningful experiences I have ever had.
At Melina’s Attitude School of Dance, we are a professional dance studio, but above all, we believe that everyone can dance. Limits exist only in the eyes of those who choose to see them.
We are currently accepting registrations for all of our dance classes. Our Dance Therapy class will resume this fall in September.
Families can contact us by email at melinasattitude@gmail.com, by phone at 570-926-2768, or by messaging us on our social media pages. We would love to welcome new dancers into our dance family
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have a huge passion for dance and truly love what I do. The hardest part is starting a new dance season without knowing if everyone will come back. It can also be challenging to grow the number of dancers each year. Even though it can be scary and discouraging at times, my passion for dance keeps me going and motivates me to continue building and growing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am the owner of Melina’s Attitude School of Dance, a dance studio built from my passion for dance and my Italian roots. Coming from Italy, I bring a different approach to dance education; one that combines professionalism, discipline, technique, passion, and a strong sense of artistry.
What sets Melina’s Attitude School of Dance apart is the way we approach each dancer as an individual. I want my students to develop not only strong technique, but also confidence, character, and a true love for dance. I believe dance should be challenging and professional while still being a place where students feel inspired, supported, and excited to grow.
I am especially proud of the identity and reputation we have built as a studio. Our Italian influence gives us a unique perspective and approach that is not always found in other dance schools. We strive for excellence while creating a welcoming environment where dancers can build lifelong skills and memories.
Most of all, I want readers to know that Melina’s Attitude School of Dance is more than just a place to learn steps. It is a place where passion, dedication, and hard work come together to help dancers become the best versions of themselves; both on and off the stage.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I believe luck has played a small role in my journey, but I have always believed that hard work, passion, and perseverance are what truly make a difference. There have been moments when the right people came into my life or the right opportunities appeared at the right time, and I consider those moments lucky.
There have also been difficult times, especially when starting a new dance season and not knowing how many students will return or how much the school will grow. Those moments can be discouraging, but they have taught me to keep believing in what I am building. I may not always be able to control the circumstances, but I can control how much heart, dedication, and effort I put into my business.
I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to share my passion for dance with my students and to continue growing Melina’s Attitude School of Dance.
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