Getting to Know DWC Staff Member Melissa Koh Krienke
By Samantha Weissbach
Samantha Weissbach is a dancer, choreographer, and business professional born & raised in the Pacific Northwest. She has been dancing since the age of 2, and continues to dance and teach ballet and pointe professionally in the Greater Seattle Area. Samantha has trained at numerous establishments and programs; however, her primary training was received at Cornerstone Studio, Ballet Bellevue, and Emerald Ballet Theatre.
Currently, she serves as Executive Director of Intrepidus Dance, and is a company member with Intrepidus Dance and Forthun+Rome Dance Theater.
PICTURED: Melissa Koh Krienke, DWC Staff Member
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Melissa Koh Krienke is a dancer, teacher, and artist here in the Pacific Northwest. She started dancing ballet at the age of 3 and her passion grew from there. Melissa trained through high school with Ballet Chelsea and got her BFA in dance from Cornish College of the Arts. She has performed with Beth Terwilliger, Converge Dance Festival, the Chihuly Garden and Glass, Dance This, Bridge Project, Tint, PRICEarts N.E.W., Forthun+Rome Dance Theater, Intrepidus Dance, Seattle International Dance Festival, and Carnegie Hall.
Melissa is now dancing professionally; teaching Ballet, Pointe, and Contemporary; and is a co-founder of Trillium Dance Collective in Seattle.
In her free time Melissa enjoys board games, reading, and snuggling with her black cat, Mochi.
Photo by Catlyn Griswell
What excites you the most about joining the DWC team?
I'm excited to join this wonderful group of people supporting the dance community in the PNW! DWC's dedication to inclusivity is important and a huge part of why I wanted to join the team. (Plus Samantha is, like, super cool) ;)
Why & when did you begin dancing?
I started dancing when I was three. My dad took me to see a production of the Nutcracker and apparently I was so entranced I wanted to start Ballet immediately!
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What styles of dance do you specialize in?
I've trained in Ballet and Pointe my whole life, but grew to love contemporary/modern dance in college. Contemporary is how I like moving the most now, but I still teach and have a special place in my heart for ballet.
Who is your dance icon and why?
Honestly, right now I don't necessarily have one. I'm feeling very inspired by the little things lately--dancers who I see supporting each other and giving themselves grace during this crazy time--by making art, or taking a break!
If you could give advice to your younger self, what would you say?
Take a second and breathe. You don't have to have everything figured out right this second. Try to be comfortable not knowing everything!
To read more about Melissa, check out the links below!