Melinda Delgado is MBC’s Ballet and Costume Mistress and a faculty member of the Academy. Since childhood, ballet has been an integral part of Ms. Delgado’s life, studying at the Portland Ballet School under the direction of Jacqueline Martin-Schumacher.   At the age of 14 she received a scholarship to the San Francisco Ballet School.  She later joined Portland Ballet Company where she performed professionally for 12 years.

Ms. Delgado earned her BA in Art and Dance from Portland State University and taught ballet at the Portland Ballet School and Portland State University.  She was Director of Ballet at the Portland Gymnastic Center and taught adult classes for the Portland Park Bureau.  Costumes, prop design and production have also been an important part of her dance career.

Since moving to Bozeman with her family, Ms. Delgado has taught at Montana Ballet School, Main Street Dance Theatre, Montana State University and the Dance Center.

Ms. Delgado loves teaching the foundation of classical ballet technique, with the belief and experience that anyone can learn to dance, and love the experience when they understand the construction and execution of each move — from the very first plie to the fullness of dancing “en pointe”.  Being accomplished and doing well at anything takes an understanding and knowledge of the details.   Through knowledge one gains freedom.   In dance that freedom is the ability to “fly”.