Ms Dance has been a dance teacher for 27 years and has run Melissa’s Dance Elements studio for 14 years.

At her east Warrnambool studio she teaches a variety of dance styles from classical ballet to hip hop and her students include both genders and range in age from pre-schoolers to adults.

The favourite studio teacher award is part of the annual Victorian Community Dance Awards held by Ausdance Vic— the peak state organisation for dancers.

One of Ms Dance’s students, Kate Farley, 13, was recently selected to train with the Australian Ballet School. 

Ms Dance is one of three south-west teachers in the running, along with Kate Meade and Kate-Victoria Ingram, both from Camperdown.

Ms Meade, who is also dance development officer for Ausdance Vic, has also been nominated for best dance event for the Victorian Dance Festival and for Victoria’s favourite producer.

Eligible people can vote for the nominations by following a link on the Ausdance Vic website, ausdancevic.org.au, that opened yesterday.

Voting will close on Monday, November 3.