Melissa McDaniel Grisham is the owner of Turning Pointe Dance Creations, a company dedicated to educating, empowering, and engaging the dance community, and she is also the co-host of Beyond the Steps, a weekly live podcast that tackles the tough issues facing the dance community. Melissa is a veteran choreographer and dance educator, and early in her career she performed with professional sports leagues, in stage shows, in videos, and on tour. She was the Director of Visual Arts and Dance at a K-12 independent school, and she has served as a studio instructor and competition company director for over 15 years. Melissa is also a sought-after choreographer and adjudicator, and she travels throughout the United States setting choreography, teaching at conventions, and judging talent competitions. Her professional choreography credits include shows for national recording artists, local and regional stage plays, and national corporate campaigns and events. Melissa has received multiple regional choreography awards, and she was nominated for Dance Educator of The Year by Charlotte Ballet, Choreographer of the Year by ACHI Magazine, and best choreography for a stage play/musical by Broadwayworld.com. She combines her passion for dance and social justice by conducting workshops and creating educational resources designed to help studio owners create a more culturally responsive studio environment.