Private Coaching Program

After many years of teaching, Coaching, and private lessons, I believe the secret for dancers is private one-on-one training. I have watched dancers improve their dancing, technique, and artistry tremendously. Private Coaching is a highly beneficial tool for ballet students. It helps them retain correction, gain the knowledge they can apply in a larger class setting, and gain self-confidence.

What Is It?

Our Private Coaching Program provides one-on-one training tailored to each dancer's needs. We also offer private Coaching online!

What To Expect?

The private Coaching is a one-hour session generally scheduled for the weekend. We assess the dancer and tailor the lesson towards what will enhance their dancing. This includes correct placement, alignment, correcting movement patterns, and understanding proper technique and how to execute it. We work on conditioning exercises using Pilates, strength training for dancers, and flexibility. This gives dancers the tools to prevent injuries, which prepares them for a healthy dance journey.

Who Is It For?

The Private Coaching program is for dancers who want to improve, excel, and become the best dancer they can be. Also, dancers need Coaching for competitions, college audition preparation, summer program video submissions, pre-professional programs, and choreography. We begin private Coaching at the age of nine. You DO NOT have to be a student at MCD to benefit from the Private Coaching Program. We also coach adults and dancers returning to ballet after a hiatus.

How does the dancer benefit?

This can aid in a dancer's attainment of their personal and pre-professional goals, and most of all, it instills confidence. It can also help dancers gain the confidence to join full-time ballet programs.

Some of the dancers involved in the Private Coaching Program may be invited to join Ms. Melinda at the Youth American Grand Prix Competition as Individual Participants represented by Ms. Melinda as a Coach or as part of MCD as a Conservatory. We attend YAGP yearly.

YAGP is The world's Largest Global Network of Dance and provides many opportunities for aspiring ballerinas. For further information about YAGP, please visit https://yagp.org.

Costs and Commitment?

We provide several options to fit your needs as a dancer. The key to ballet is repetition and consistency; with our format, you will get the desired results!

Teachers available for Private Coaching-

* Melinda Neal is available for advanced-level dancers ages 14 and up and as conditioning / Pilates ( Mat and Reformer). An online option is also available.

* Leilani Neal is available for beginners or children under the age of 13. Ms. Leilani also coaches competition dancers whose focus is on jazz and contemporary. An online option is available.

*Calvin Thomas is available for dancers ages 8-18.

Scheduling mainly occurs on the weekend during the school year, August - June. Summer scheduling varies.

Privates are scheduled directly with the teacher.

(Bio in Teacher tab)

Single Private - in-person/ price is given upon request.est

Monthly Options -Package pricing is available upon request.

Four Session Package/one month

Eight Session Package/2 month

Twelve Session Package/3 month

Sixteen Session Package/4 month

Online Private pricing is available for Coaching via Zoom!

*Single Privates and Packages must be paid entirely before the first session.

*Payments for Privates scheduled do not transfer to other teachers or regular classes throughout the school year or summer. Privates must be taken with the teacher initially scheduled.

*Private Coaching Sessions require 12 hours advance notice for rescheduling or cancellation. No-shows or late cancels automatically forfeit that lesson.

*No refunds are available for sessions.

*When booking Packages, they must be scheduled weekly and consecutively. *Packages cannot be spread out over many weeks. The only exception is for holiday breaks.

Help your dancer excel today!

For schedule and booking please email Melinda@marinconservatoryofdance.org or Leilani@marinconservatoryofdance.org

Book Session

Private Coaching Testimonials

Grace Bardwick

Caroline Connolly

Melinda Neal is a true ballet professional, an incredible mentor for my teenage daughter and skillful in knowing what each dancer needs to excel. Grace has been dancing with Ms. Melinda for over five years. Ms. Melinda skillfully prepared Grace for a summer dance intensive audition three years ago and Grace was awarded a position in the program. My daughter’s relationship with Ms. Melinda has been a positive and transformational one. Three years ago, Grace was diagnosed with a genetic connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos. While this disorder makes Grace very flexible and a beautiful dancer, it has caused issues with her back and right hip. Through private coaching with Ms. Melinda, Grace fully recovered from back surgery and returned to ballet - her passion. Grace will have hip surgery this November, so Ms. Melinda has created Pilates reformer and strength training routines, so Grace can remain in shape and have a quicker recovery. Grace has learned a lot about resilience and recovery from Ms. Melinda who has successfully overcome her own injuries to have a long professional career. Our family is very fortunate to have Ms. Melinda and MCD in our lives! We are forever grateful to her.

Whitney Bardwick

daughter Grace

Former MCD Student

Tulane graduate

Caroline Connolly

"Melinda is a rare teacher. She offers disciplined, classical ballet training with an expert eye for proper technique. Melinda offers a program with a clear syllabus that provides a measurable progression that really motivates dancers. With a long and successful professional resume, Melinda serves as a role model and valuable resource. My daughter has taken classes with Melinda since she was in third grade (now in middle school and en pointe) and is constantly complimented by other instructors on her technique. I attribute this to Melinda's ability to give corrections in a kind and genuine way that students respond to quickly and retain. We are thankful to call Melinda a mentor and a friend."

Holly Nissalke

daughter Caroline

Former Marin Ballet student current Ballet West student

Ashley DuBord

Caroline Connolly

Tessa Ulvestad

"Ms. Melinda is one of the most influential ballet teachers I have worked with. She pushes, motivates, and supports me through my journey with ballet. Each day she inspires me to stay positive and be the strongest I can be.

She cares not only about the physical health and performance of her students but also their mental state as she takes into account teaching the dancer holistically. I am so grateful to have met and worked with Ms. Melinda and I definitely would not be where I am without her!"

Ashley Dubord

Discount Dance Ambassador

Former San Francisco Ballet Student

UC Berkeley graduate

Tessa Ulvestad

Sadie Rosenthal

Tessa Ulvestad

"Tessa had been taking dance since she was very young. She always loved dance, but it wasn't until she met Melinda that her passion for dance, and ballet in particular, really ignited. Melinda's expertise and years of experience dancing, coupled with her gift for coaching really influenced Tessa to want to become a better dancer and to reach new levels. Melinda is a dedicated and patient mentor, and really impacted our daughter's goals and love for dance. Thank you Melinda!!"

Katie Ulvestad

daughter Tessa

Former San Francisco Ballet student current MCD student

Sadie Rosenthal

My daughter Sadie was recovering from a knee injury and looking for a new studio to continue pursuing her ballet career. Luckily for us, Melinda Neal opened a studio in Marin. Her beautifully remodeled studio is in a central location offering a concise program for all dancers. Sadie is healthier, more inspired than ever, and excelling on a whole new level. Melinda cares not only for the student’s professional progression, but also their personal growth. The students work hard because they are happy to be there working with her. Melinda knows how to get the best work out of them in a positive, uplifting manner. Melinda is one of those rare teachers who not only has an impressive resume and credentials, but she works intuitively with each student. This allows the dancers to be themselves and have pride in their work. Sadie is blossoming at Marin Conservatory. She is a stronger and more confident dancer and person, thanks to having Melinda as teacher and coach. Much love to Melinda and the Conservatory!

Diane Mateo

daughter Sadie

Former MCD student

Former San Francisco Ballet and City Ballet student