Melanie Person began her early dance training in Jackson, Mississippi, at age six. Upon moving to Columbia, South Carolina, a few years later, she continued her dance training at the Calvert-Brodie School of Dance while performing with the Columbia City Ballet. In the winter of 1976, on the recommendation of her teacher Ann Brodie, Ms. Person auditioned for the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) Summer Intensive and was offered a full scholarship. Upon completion of the summer program, she became an apprentice to the professional company and, in 1979, became a full member at the age of 16 after graduating from Professional Children's School. For 12 years, Ms. Person performed with DTH, traveling around the world performing a diverse repertoire. She performed choreography by artistic luminaries including George Balanchine, Geoffrey Holder, Agnes de Mille, Glen Tetley, Garth Fagan and Arthur Mitchell, DTH’s founder and artistic director. Her television credits include performances in NBC’s presentation of DTH’s Creole Giselle, CBS’s 60 Minutes with Ed Bradley featuring DTH, the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Olympics, and the PBS presentation of Live at the Kennedy Center: The Making of Firebird. She later went on to earn her BA from SUNY Empire State College. In 1999, Denise Jefferson invited her to join the Professional Performing Arts School ballet faculty at The Ailey School and in 2000, Ms. Jefferson appointed her as Co-Director of the Junior Division alongside Tracy Inman. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Person was made Chair of the ballet department and President of the Emergency Fund for Student Dancers. She has been on the faculty of the Dance Theatre of Harlem School, the Ballet Hispánico School, Marymount Manhattan College, and Purchase College. Ms. Person has also been a teaching artist in the New York City Public School System. She is on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Schools of Dance. Additionally, she has taught as a guest at The Flint Institute of Music, Dance Institute of Washington, Boston Ballet School, and The Adaclam School in French Guyana. Ms. Person has served as an adjudicator for the Youth American Grand Prix, Asian Grand Prix, FIDPOA, and Prix de Lausanne’s 50th anniversary. In 2009, she was named Associate Director of The Ailey School and in 2010, Co-Director with Tracy Inman after Ms. Jefferson’s passing. For over a decade, she served as a supervisor of the New Directions Choreography Lab at The Ailey School, providing opportunities for the next generation of choreographers and dance artists. Ms. Person has also earned a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. Currently, she is a Co-Chair of the Schools and Intensives Network for Dance USA and serves as a board member of the Prix de Lausanne.
