Melody Mai, Founder & Owner
- Creator and Lead Instructor, Leadership through Dance™ @All schools
- Lead Instructor, Zumba Kids @Roy cLoud & North Star

Melody Mai, founder of Mariposa Dance and creator of our Leadership through Dance™ program, has been passionate about dance and music all her life. As a child, it taught her to love herself and to have self-confidence. As a performer through early adulthood, it gave her a passion and drive to continuously grow and learn. As a busy working mom of three, it has been her outlet to relieve stress. Understanding the different benefits that dance can bring to anyone at any phase of their life, Melody is here to share her energy and love of music and dance with the Redwood City community.

Melody is AFAA-certified and licensed to teach Zumba®, Zumba® Kids, Pound® Fitness and Generation Pound®. She also specializes in Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Capoeira/Maculele.

Learn more about Melody’s story here!

Rita Finones - Zumba Kids Instructor
- Lead instructor, Zumba Kids @Clifford and @Roosevelt
- C0-INstructor, Leadership through Dance™ @Roy Cloud

Rita Finones is a natural leader who loves working with kids. With a background in teaching UJam and other styles of dance fitness, we are excited to have Rita bring her energy and passion for dance to our programs!

Esiah Gomez - CHOREOGRAPHER and dance instructor
- Co-Instructor, Leadership through Dance™ @Roy Cloud elementary

Esiah has always had a passion for developing leadership skills and empowering young girls. She is excited about our Leadership through Dance™ mission and brings with her, her extensive dance experience in modern and contemporary dance, and her background teaching self-defense to middle schoolers.