Meet Melinda Fornero Founder/Director & Instructor
As a renowned dance instructor and child development expert, Melinda Fornero offers a playful, entertaining, and quirky dance curriculum for 2 - 6-year-olds, available for home and classrooms, so that moms and teachers can witness their children's musical and dance development firsthand.
For over two decades, Melinda has witnessed the transformative journey children undergo in her programs. They develop in musicality, rhythm and counting, choreography, teamwork, confidence, self-esteem, and the flourishing of their imaginations.
With the launch of her YouTube channel, "Mama Watch Me Dance,” her popular dance classes are now globally accessible to families and teachers alike. Melinda’s overarching goal is to share a positive message to children, inspire them to embrace dance, and actively contribute to integrating her dance program into early childhood education.
Her background includes the launch of Music' N Motion (2000), which began with its introduction to five preschools. The program grew to encompass over 30 preschools and ventured into after-school enrichment programs for elementary school children in Southern California, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Santa Monica and Orange County.
She aligned the curriculum with the California Physical Education Standards and taught it for over 14 years in the Santa Monica Malibu School District. The program has become an integral part of the educational and extracurricular landscape, touching the lives of thousands of children across Southern California.
In 2008, while expanding her program to various schools, she opened a family fitness wellness center, “The Core, Your Perfect Center,” which provided classes for families—creating a space where children could engage in dance, yoga, art or meditation. Simultaneously, the Center provided classes for parents; yoga, Pilates, tai chi, meditation and dance. Despite providing a secure space for families to find solace through centering, self-reflection, and meditation, it encountered challenges during the economic recession.
Melinda has been on an incredible journey through dance, driven by an unwavering passion and determination.
Her adventure in dance commenced at 14, when she dove into modern dance and jazz. From there, it was on to her first ballet class, where mastering "en pointe" became the goal. Despite starting later in life, and lacking a born dancer's natural grace and physique, she held onto her aspiration with the utmost determination.
Success wasn't just about mastering dance moves; it was about embracing the liberating and inner joy that dance brought into her life. Studying modern dance introduced Melinda to the powerful vehicle that is dance—a place where one can escape and connect with her feelings. While ballet is more formal and structured, Melinda aims to provide children a taste of both worlds, incorporating elements of comedy, games and challenging thought.
Inspired by the introduction to preschool and after-school enrichment programs in 1999, and guided by her studies in early childhood development, she took the initiative to craft a dance curriculum tailored specifically for preschool-aged children—designed for freedom of expression through dance.
Melinda initiated the program by acquiring Lynn Stanford & Nancy Bielski's "Music for Pre-Ballet Class.” This served as the foundation for designing warm-up exercises and the dance curriculum.
The emphasis on playfulness is the highlight of Melinda’s programs. She infused the sessions with musical activities of fun and silliness, presenting a playful, emotional, innovative approach to dance. She also incorporates positive thinking, creative visualization, personal empowerment, breathing exercises and dedicated time for reflection—and mama’s favorite: quiet time.
She aimed to create a welcoming atmosphere for children who might not have been interested in traditional ballet classes but enjoyed dancing just for the pleasure it brought them, regardless of their background or natural talent. Melinda created a program that included performances at the end of each term, allowing the children to demonstrate their growth and accomplishments.
All of this passion and the strong foundation she created as a leader in her field is what now brings her dance expertise to thousands of children across the globe.
Melinda consistently aims to embody peace in her life, and when she’s not dancing with her children, you'll likely find her taking daily walks in the park or by the ocean, immersing herself in nature and hugging trees.
She prioritizes maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine; greens are her thing. Her soul feels fulfilled when tending to her garden, meditating, traveling or expanding her awareness of sound therapy, Reiki, lucid dreaming, astral projection, and the like. And when the season permits, she’s an unwavering Dallas Cowboys fan!
Mama, make time and Watch Me Dance!
For over two decades, Melinda has witnessed the transformative journey children undergo in her programs. They develop in musicality, rhythm and counting, choreography, teamwork, confidence, self-esteem, and the flourishing of their imaginations.
With the launch of her YouTube channel, "Mama Watch Me Dance,” her popular dance classes are now globally accessible to families and teachers alike. Melinda’s overarching goal is to share a positive message to children, inspire them to embrace dance, and actively contribute to integrating her dance program into early childhood education.
Her background includes the launch of Music' N Motion (2000), which began with its introduction to five preschools. The program grew to encompass over 30 preschools and ventured into after-school enrichment programs for elementary school children in Southern California, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Santa Monica and Orange County.
She aligned the curriculum with the California Physical Education Standards and taught it for over 14 years in the Santa Monica Malibu School District. The program has become an integral part of the educational and extracurricular landscape, touching the lives of thousands of children across Southern California.
In 2008, while expanding her program to various schools, she opened a family fitness wellness center, “The Core, Your Perfect Center,” which provided classes for families—creating a space where children could engage in dance, yoga, art or meditation. Simultaneously, the Center provided classes for parents; yoga, Pilates, tai chi, meditation and dance. Despite providing a secure space for families to find solace through centering, self-reflection, and meditation, it encountered challenges during the economic recession.
Melinda has been on an incredible journey through dance, driven by an unwavering passion and determination.
Her adventure in dance commenced at 14, when she dove into modern dance and jazz. From there, it was on to her first ballet class, where mastering "en pointe" became the goal. Despite starting later in life, and lacking a born dancer's natural grace and physique, she held onto her aspiration with the utmost determination.
Success wasn't just about mastering dance moves; it was about embracing the liberating and inner joy that dance brought into her life. Studying modern dance introduced Melinda to the powerful vehicle that is dance—a place where one can escape and connect with her feelings. While ballet is more formal and structured, Melinda aims to provide children a taste of both worlds, incorporating elements of comedy, games and challenging thought.
Inspired by the introduction to preschool and after-school enrichment programs in 1999, and guided by her studies in early childhood development, she took the initiative to craft a dance curriculum tailored specifically for preschool-aged children—designed for freedom of expression through dance.
Melinda initiated the program by acquiring Lynn Stanford & Nancy Bielski's "Music for Pre-Ballet Class.” This served as the foundation for designing warm-up exercises and the dance curriculum.
The emphasis on playfulness is the highlight of Melinda’s programs. She infused the sessions with musical activities of fun and silliness, presenting a playful, emotional, innovative approach to dance. She also incorporates positive thinking, creative visualization, personal empowerment, breathing exercises and dedicated time for reflection—and mama’s favorite: quiet time.
She aimed to create a welcoming atmosphere for children who might not have been interested in traditional ballet classes but enjoyed dancing just for the pleasure it brought them, regardless of their background or natural talent. Melinda created a program that included performances at the end of each term, allowing the children to demonstrate their growth and accomplishments.
All of this passion and the strong foundation she created as a leader in her field is what now brings her dance expertise to thousands of children across the globe.
Melinda consistently aims to embody peace in her life, and when she’s not dancing with her children, you'll likely find her taking daily walks in the park or by the ocean, immersing herself in nature and hugging trees.
She prioritizes maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine; greens are her thing. Her soul feels fulfilled when tending to her garden, meditating, traveling or expanding her awareness of sound therapy, Reiki, lucid dreaming, astral projection, and the like. And when the season permits, she’s an unwavering Dallas Cowboys fan!
Mama, make time and Watch Me Dance!