We offer free trial classes!
Call us at 972.393.7086 to schedule one for your future MSSoD dancer!
.jpg)
Thanks for voting us the 2025 Best of Coppell Dance studio finalist!
Our Team!
Rachel Smith Allison is beginning her 11th year as owner and director of MSSoD, following 23 wonderful years of working alongside her mother, Miss Melva.
Miss Rachel teaches ballet, tap, jazz, preschool combination classes, and musical theater. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Voice from the University of Oklahoma—Boomer Sooner!
Before settling down to teach, Miss Rachel spent more than a decade touring the country as a professional singer, dancer, and actress. Her professional credits include performances at Hersheypark, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Opryland Theme Park, and aboard its beautiful showboat, the General Jackson.
After returning to Dallas from New York City in 1995, Miss Rachel founded the Melva Smith School of Dance Performance Company, now entering its 32nd season. The nationally award-winning company has received numerous honors, and Miss Rachel has earned national choreography awards for her work.
Throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area, she has appeared in many theatrical productions. Some of her favorite roles include Rose in Bye Bye Birdie and Minnie Fay in Hello, Dolly! with Garland Summer Musicals, Maggie in A Chorus Line with Garland Civic Theatre, and Toffee in Metro Players’ Southwest premiere of Zombie Prom.
She was also selected as one of North Texas’ leading ladies for Lyric Stage’s annual Dallas Divas! concert and spent several seasons performing with the Dallas Summer Musicals kickoff cast.
She is blessed and thrilled to spend her days sharing her love of dance, musical theater, and performing with her wonderful students and to work with such a talented, caring, and dedicated team!
Jessica Wooldridge is entering her 10th year as director of MSSoD Co., our award-winning performance company!
Miss Jessica grew up dancing at MSSoD and was a member of the Coppell High School Lariettes.
After graduating from Coppell High School, she returned to MSSoD, making her journey from student to teacher and Company Director especially meaningful.
She now teaches ballet, beginning pointe, and tap while sharing her love of dance with the next generation of MSSoD dancers. Her longtime connection to the studio, dedication to her students, and leadership make her an invaluable part of our MSSoD family!
Miss Melva- Our Founder!
Melva Smith opened Melva Smith School of Dance in Coppell in January of 1986 after opening her Richardson location in 1984 making her a ling time member of the Dallas dance community1
She has taught classical ballet and related dance forms in her studios throughout the Southwest, California and Europe. Her dance and theatrical training has included study with many of the most renowned and eminent masters in the field of dance.
Miss Melva has been teaching in the Coppell and Richardson areas for over thirty years and is thrilled to now be teaching second and third generations of families!
Emily Bariel began dancing at MSSoD at the age of three and now directs our STEP (Student Teaching Education Program), bringing her own journey at the studio full circle.
Miss Emily holds a degree in Dance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She performed for many seasons with Epiphany Dance Company and directed the company’s outreach program for dancers of all abilities.
With her extensive experience, compassionate leadership, and love of teaching, Miss Emily is a wonderful mentor to our STEP students. We are truly blessed to have her helping them develop confidence, responsibility, leadership, and other valuable life skills they can carry into any profession they choose!
Audrey Scheller is an internationally trained dance educator and performer with over 18 years of experience in ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and musical theater. Certified by the Royal Ballet and AIDT, she has performed professionally across the U.S. and Europe and brings a strong, technique-focused and encouraging approach to her teaching.
Audrey is passionate about creating a positive and inclusive classroom where dancers can grow in both skill and confidence. It has been a pleasure teaching the students of Melva Smith School of Dance and she is incredibly proud of their hard work and progress.
Jen Bunting has been teaching Adult Tap classes at Miss Melva's for 6 years now, and would love to have you join us!
She has also been a member of the Friday Adult Tap Class for many years. It is so amazing for us all to sometimes step out of our comfort zone and just laugh and have some fun!
The best thing we can do for our Brain Health is DANCE! So, we would love for anyone to come check out our Beginner or Intermediate Adult Tap Classes on Sunday afternoons, Tuesday evenings or Friday mornings!
She also teaches our Refit Dance Class that helps us move our bodies and build community at the same time! !
Makena Carroll has been dancing since the age of four and spent two years as a member of MSSoD Co., our performance company. She served as an officer with the Coppell JV Silver Stars and is now entering her third year as a Coppell High School Lariette, as Captain! We are so proud of her accomplishment!
As the current Lariette Captain, Makena is excited to pass along her experience by co-teaching Drill Prep alongside Kyndall Graces and Bella O'Neal. She loves helping younger dancers build the technique, confidence, performance skills, and leadership qualities they will need as they prepare for future drill team auditions.
Makena has a true passion for dance and loves sharing it with others. Her favorite style is lyrical, and she hopes to become a physical therapist.
Kyndall Graves has danced at MSSoD for 14 years and is returning for her second year as a member of our teaching team!
A longtime member of the MSSoD family, Kyndall is a Coppell High School Lariette and is entering her senior year as Lead Social Officer!
Kyndall is excited to co-teach Drill Prep alongside Lariette Captain Makena Carroll abd Social Officer Bella O'Neal. Together, they will share their firsthand experience while helping younger dancers develop the technique, confidence, leadership, and performance skills needed for future drill team auditions.
We love watching Kyndall continue to grow from MSSoD student to teacher and role model!