MELISSA WALSH - DIRECTOR

Melissa has worked in the performing arts industry for over 20 years and brings a wealth of experience, professionalism, and passion to her teaching. She holds a BA (Hons) Degree in Dance from the University of Surrey and enjoyed a successful career as a professional dancer before transitioning into education and choreography.

In 2013, Melissa relocated to Dubai, where she founded The Dance Project (TDP). What began as a vision to share her love of dance has since grown exponentially.

Under her leadership, TDP has worked with 24 schools across Dubai and trained thousands of dancers and gymnasts, making it a respected name within the region’s performing arts community.

As an Acro Dance teacher, Melissa combines strong technical foundations, safe practice, and artistic expression. Her extensive background in dance and movement allows her to bridge the gap between acrobatics and dance seamlessly, helping students develop strength, flexibility, control, and performance quality.

She is known for her supportive teaching style, attention to correct technique, and ability to inspire confidence in students of all ages and abilities.

With vast experience working in the Middle East, Melissa is deeply committed to nurturing talent, fostering a love for movement, and helping each student reach their full potential—both technically and artistically.

Melissa holds the following documentation: Full Police Clearance, Safeguarding Children Certificate, First Aid Qualification

SERGEY KHELIK - BALLET, JAZZ, CONTEMPORARY, LYRICAL

Sergey Khelik is one of the most esteemed dancers of his generation, having trained under the great masters of classical ballet. With exceptional artistry, technical excellence, and an impressive international career, Sergey brings a world-class standard of choreography and teaching to The Dance Project.

A relatively new member of the TDP faculty, Sergey has already made a powerful impression, and we are incredibly excited to see the results of his work with our dancers. We are truly blessed to welcome such an extraordinary dancer, choreographer, and teacher to our team.

In recent years, Sergey has performed as a Principal Dancer and Guest Artist with some of the world’s most prestigious companies, including Los Angeles Ballet, Los Angeles Opera, Cirque du Soleil, Joburg Ballet, and Hong Kong Ballet. For young dancers who love Dance Moms, Sergey was also a faculty member at the Abby Lee Dance Companyin Los Angeles.

Passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience, Sergey regularly teaches Ballet and Contemporary Master Classes and is frequently invited to judge and observe performances worldwide. His teaching credits span the globe and include Youth America Grand Prix (New York), Asian Grand Prix (Hong Kong), Corella Dance Academy (Barcelona), The Ministry of Dance (Melbourne), and Melbourne Academy of the Arts (Australia).

Sergey’s training is second to none, his performance history vast, and his dedication to developing future generations of dancers unwavering. He is delighted to join The Dance Project, where he looks forward to passing on his exceptional skills, artistry, and professional insight to inspire and shape the dancers of tomorrow.

In short—Sergey Khelik is a true superstar in the dance world, and an invaluable addition to the TDP family.

Sergey holds the following documentation: Full Police Clearance, Safeguarding Children Certificate, First Aid Qualification

DR. AHMED MAHMOUD EL JAFFARY - GYMNASTICS

Dr. Ahmed Mahmoud El Jaffary is the Head Coach of Artistic Gymnastics and Acro Dance at The Dance Project, bringing exceptional academic knowledge, international certification, and extensive coaching experience to the programme. He is a USA Gymnastics Federation–certified coach whose objective is to lead and inspire young athletes while fostering a positive, disciplined, and development-focused training environment.

Dr. Ahmed’s coaching philosophy is built on effective teaching, strategic planning, and strong collaboration between students, parents, and TDP staff. His leadership ensures athletes are supported not only in technical excellence but also in confidence, discipline, and long-term physical development.

Holding a PhD in Physical Education, Dr. Ahmed has an extensive academic and professional background in child development and physical education. He has successfully completed all courses offered by the Egyptian Gymnastics Federation and is a certified judge in:

Trampolining
Aerobic Gymnastics
Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG)
Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG)

In addition to his coaching career, Dr. Ahmed is an experienced Lecturer and Head Coach, with a proven track record of developing young gymnasts in both Egypt and Dubai. His depth of knowledge, structured approach, and commitment to athlete welfare have consistently contributed to the growth and success of gymnasts under his guidance.

Dr. Ahmed’s combination of academic excellence, international certification, and hands-on coaching experience makes him a cornerstone of The Dance Project’s gymnastics and acro programmes, setting the highest standards for technical development, safety, and athlete progression.

Dr. Ahmed holds the following documentation: Full Police Clearance, Safeguarding Children Certificate, First Aid Qualification

MOHAMED ADEL- GYMNASTICS & ACRO DANCE

Mohamed Adel – Acro Dance & Artistic Gymnastics Coach

Mohamed Adel brings several years of experience teaching acro dance, artistic gymnastics, and physical education to young children, with a strong emphasis on safe skill development, confidence building, and fostering a lifelong love of movement.

He has extensive experience working with children aged 5–15 years, delivering structured, age-appropriate classes that focus on improving coordination, strength, and overall physical development. Mohamed is highly skilled at introducing movement-based activities that keep young learners engaged while building strong physical foundations.

Mohamed has valuable experience working with both recreational and aspiring competitive athletes, focusing on fundamental gymnastics skills, body awareness, and correct technique in both individual and group settings. His teaching approach balances discipline and encouragement, helping students progress safely while building confidence and enjoyment.

With a patient, energetic, and child-focused teaching style, Mohamed is committed to supporting every student’s physical and emotional growth—making acro dance and gymnastics classes educational, engaging, and enjoyable for all.

Mohamed holds the following documentation: Full Police Clearance, Safeguarding Children Certificate, First Aid Qualification

OLGA IGNATOVA - BALLET

Olga is one of the highest-level trained ballet dancers in the world, bringing extraordinary classical expertise and decades of professional experience to her teaching.

In 1983, Olga was selected to join the world-renowned Bolshoi Theatre, where she performed as a professional ballet dancer until 1992. During her prestigious career, she appeared in some of the most iconic classical ballets, including Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Giselle, Spartacus, Les Sylphides, Raymonda, Legend of Love, La Bayadère, and The Nutcracker, among many others.

Olga has a wealth of knowledge and is widely regarded as one of the most experienced ballet teachers in Dubai. She specialises in training competitive dancers, focusing on strong classical foundations, technical excellence, musicality, and performance quality. Her teaching is highly result-orientated, and it is a great pleasure to watch her students develop and succeed year on year.

With her exceptional eye for detail and deep understanding of classical ballet tradition, Olga inspires dancers to reach their full potential while instilling discipline, artistry, and a profound respect for the art of ballet.

Olga holds the following documentation: Full Police Clearance, Safeguarding Children Certificate, First Aid Qualification

DANISH ABU SULTAN SHAIKH - GYMNASTICS & ACRO DANCE

Danish is a highly skilled and dedicated Acro Dance and Artistic Gymnastics teacher, bringing both competitive excellence and a passion for teaching to The Dance Project. He is a National Medallist Gymnast, a certified coach, and a national MAG judge, with a strong background in artistic gymnastics, acrobatic skills, and partnered lifts.

With 10 years of experience as a gymnast and 8 years of coaching experience, Danish offers a high level of technical knowledge while maintaining a positive and engaging learning environment. He works with both competitive and non-competitive students aged 5–14 years, supporting each child’s development according to their individual ability and goals.

Danish is known for being a fun, energetic teacher who instills discipline, focus, and correct technique while ensuring children retain their love for movement and sport. His classes are structured, safe, and motivating, helping students build strength, flexibility, coordination, and confidence.

A long-term member of The Dance Project, Danish is highly valued by students and parents alike for his approachable nature and commitment to student progress.

“I love working with kids and making classes joyful for them.”

Danish’s enthusiasm, experience, and child-focused approach make him a fantastic role model and an integral part of the TDP teaching team

Danish holds the following documentation: Full Police Clearance, Safeguarding Children Certificate, First Aid Qualification

LIZA CHAROYAN - ACRO DANCE & HANDBALANCING

Liza Charoyan is an exceptional performer and highly skilled Acro Dance teacher and choreographer, bringing both technical mastery and heartfelt passion to The Dance Project.

An international performer and Master of Acrobatic Gymnastics, Liza’s background reflects years of dedication, discipline, and artistry at the highest level.

Beyond her impressive credentials, Liza is known for her kind, gentle nature and her special talent for teaching. She has vast experience working with students of all ages and is deeply committed to helping each child grow with confidence, strength, and joy. Her classes are carefully structured to ensure correct technique, creativity, and progression while maintaining a safe, supportive, and comfortable learning environment.

Liza has an enormous passion for teaching children and believes that encouragement, trust, and positive reinforcement are essential to a student’s success. Her warm approach allows students to feel supported while still being challenged to reach their full potential.

As a choreographer, Liza seamlessly blends acrobatic technique with fluid movement and artistry, inspiring students to express themselves while building strong technical foundations. Her dedication, professionalism, and caring nature make her a treasured member of the TDP teaching team and a wonderful role model for young dancers.

Liza holds the following documentation: Full Police Clearance, Safeguarding Children Certificate, First Aid Qualification

MAHMOUD ABD EL MENIEM - KARATE

Our Karate Academy is proudly led by Sensei Mahmoud, a highly accomplished martial artist with an exceptional competitive and coaching background. He is a five-time Egypt Champion, seven-time UAE Champion, and an International Masters Cup Gold Medalist, reflecting his elite-level skill, discipline, and dedication to the art of karate.

Sensei Mahmoud holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education, with a specialisation in Martial Arts, and is a 5th Dan Black Belt with over 15 years of coaching experience. His deep technical knowledge is matched by a strong commitment to teaching correct technique, respect, and discipline in a positive and structured training environment.

He is an approved coach by the Sharjah Education Academy, the UAE Karate Federation, and the Egyptian Karate Federation, ensuring the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and athlete development.

As Head Sensei, Mahmoud is passionate about guiding students of all ages and abilities, helping them build confidence, focus, and resilience while progressing through their karate journey. His leadership, achievements, and teaching excellence make him a respected role model and an integral part of the academy’s success.

Mahmoud holds the following documentation: Full Police Clearance, Safeguarding Children Certificate, First Aid Qualification

KARINA GARCIA - ACRO DANCE

Karina Garcia is a certified Acro Dance teacher through Acrobatic Arts and a valued member of The Dance Project team. Alongside her teaching role, Karina also works within the administration team, making her a key asset to TDP through her excellent organisational skills and strong attention to detail.

Karina brings a warm, personable approach to both the studio and the classroom. She is highly engaging with students and creates a positive, encouraging environment where dancers feel supported and motivated to learn. Her classes focus on safe technique, clear progressions, and building confidence, ensuring students develop strong acro foundations while enjoying the learning process.

With her ability to connect easily with students and families, combined with her professionalism behind the scenes, Karina plays an important role in the smooth day-to-day running of TDP. Her dedication, enthusiasm, and approachable nature make her a wonderful role model for students and a trusted member of the teaching team.

Karina holds the following documentation: Full Police Clearance, Safeguarding Children Certificate, First Aid Qualification

MIRNA AMEN SATOF - ACRO DANCE & ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS

Mirna Amen Satof is a passionate acro dance and artistic gymnastics teacher, as well as an accomplished performer and model, originally from Syria and now based in Dubai. With a lifelong dedication to artistic movement and performance, Mirna brings years of experience in gymnastics, dance, and theatrical arts to her teaching.

Her journey began in childhood, driven by a deep love for sport, creativity, and self-expression. This early passion has grown into a career centred on empowering others—particularly children—through movement, performance, and positive mentorship.

Mirna’s teaching style is energetic, encouraging, and student-focused. She is committed to creating a supportive and safe learning environment where students can build strength, flexibility, confidence, and artistic expression. By blending technical foundations with creativity, she helps students develop both physical skills and a genuine love for acro dance and gymnastics.

With her warm personality and strong performance background, Mirna inspires students to believe in themselves, explore their abilities, and enjoy the journey of movement. She is dedicated to nurturing young talent while fostering discipline, confidence, and joy in every class.

Mirna holds the following documentation: Full Police Clearance, Safeguarding Children Certificate, First Aid Qualification