Melissa deFriesse has been a dancer and choreographer with OnStage Dance Company since 2018. She has trained in a variety of dance styles and has a bachelor’s degree in dance from Springfield College. In addition to teaching and performing, she works in non-profit fundraising, and is a certified Barre fitness instructor and licensed Zumbini instructor. Her work on the OnStage Board is focused on managing the company’s fundraising activities.OnStage Dance Company, Inc. was founded in 2010 by Jennifer Kuhnberg and Kelly Mazzarella, with the goal of creating performance opportunities for Boston area dancers. They held rehearsals and workshops in local dance studios, but the company quickly outgrew these spaces and in April 2013, they opened the OnStage Dance Company studio in Somerville, MA and eventually moved to a larger location in Malden in July 2017. In addition to their company performances, OnStage expanded their programming to include: a rotating series of classes and workshops open to the public, a Repertory company that specializes in collaborative contemporary choreography, a Residency program that offers free studio space to emerging choreographers, a variety of dance festivals and showcases, an Annual Dance Class Marathon and many more community events, performance opportunities and social events.
