Melissa's School of Dance

Melissa's School of Dance is proud to say we have been in business for over 40 years and are a staple here in Sterling. We have built a relationship with our community that we love and are proud of. My students welcome the opportunity to dance at the community’s nursing homes and various other groups that enjoy a little entertainment. We are well known for the quality of dancers we produce. If you want to learn to dance or want your child to learn to dance, come to Melissa's, where she or he will get the best training available. My studio inspires kids who want to be better dancers and not just hang out. A safe, fun, encouraging environment with lots of inspiration and love. We are not just a dance school; we are a dance family. If you want to be a part of this wonderful dance group, please call or email me. 

Hello, everyone! My name is Melissa Craddock

My mother said I was born to dance. She said I was dancing before I could walk and never stopped. Having been raised with a father in the Navy gave me the wonderful opportunity to take lessons from famous teachers all over the world. This also enabled me to create my own style of dance and gave me the ability to be a creative choreographer. We moved to Sterling when I was 15, and from there I started lessons and was asked to teach at the age of 16. I taught for 4 years, then had the opportunity to open my own studio. Over the years, we have grown to need a 9,000-square-foot building with two studios and a 40X40 spring floor for the tumblers. I was asked to put together the Choreography for the Miss Northeastern Colorado Pageant for the two years they were here. I taught country 2 step and waltz classes in Denver at Becky and Company with owner Dale Haladic. Dale and I taught classes here at the Sterling Elks as well.

My studio was asked to represent the state of Colorado at the Dance Excellence Festival in California for three years. The students take classes for two days with famous teachers from all over the world, and they perform at Disney during that time. Governor Bill Owens sent letters congratulating us on this honor.

Accompanied by some of the older students, I continue to study in California and New York to keep up with the new styles. I have had the opportunity to study with the father of dance, Luigi, along with Patsy Swayze and Keith Clifton, who have come to Sterling to teach at the Studio.

I have been a member of Dance Masters and Dance Educators of America. I have studied tumbling and gymnastics with United States Olympic Coach Bela Karolyi at his summer camp in Houston, Texas. For 15 years, my gymnasts have been competing in the CARA program, where we have won State every year. Since then, I have been asked, along with Alan Herrin in Denver, to put together the CARA competitive compulsory routines.

I love all the styles of dance. From tap, jazz, ballet, tango, cha cha cha, waltz, and country, each style of dance has a different feeling. I love to watch my students start out and learn the different ways they can move with music.

To this day, I can honestly say dance is not what I do; it is who I am.

Hello, everyone! My name is Tabitha Rangel

“Teacher Tabby”

I was born and raised in Sterling, CO, where I continue to live with my fiancé and three dogs. I have been dancing with Melissa’s School of Dance since about the age of 8. Over the years, I have been trained by Melissa in the arts of tap, jazz, ballet, point, and tumbling. Above all, tap is my favorite and the most entertaining to me. Something about the tap sounds on the floor really soothes me, and the endless combinations of rhythms you can create as a choreographer are inspiring. At the age of 16, I had the privilege of helping Melissa teach various classes, which turned into a full-time position.

I keep up with the new trends to keep students excited to see what we do next. I love passing my knowledge on to kids just starting out. To me, dance is not just a way to pass the time; it is a way to express feelings, a way to reduce stress, and it can be very rewarding.

Come be inspired with us in a safe, fun, and creative dance world. Being part of our dance family is something you will remember for the rest of your lives.