“To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak. Dance allows us to express what words cannot, and this is also true of photography. This series merges my love of both photography and dance, blending the visual elements of light and movement with the emotional depth and inner sentiment expressed through dance.  The images blend the visual elements of light and movement with the emotional depth and inner sentiment expressed through dance. The individuals I have photographed are my teachers, mentors and friends. Dancing with them feeds my soul, and this series is a celebration of all that they bring to me.” 

Melanie Gillis graduated from The University of Toronto in 1995 with a BSc in Psychology. For the following year she taught psychology at Sheridan College while pursuing her photography on the side.  In 1997 she combined her passions for social psychology, fine art photography and people in general, and opened her studio in Guelph, where she built her career as a photographic artist. She moved to Hamilton in 2004 where she currently lives and works. Melanie is also the founder of Studio-G Dance Hamilton, established in September 2020. Studio-G is a Latin dance school and event space offering lessons in Salsa, Bachata and other Latin dance forms. All are welcome to join this growing community for lessons,  and come to their dance parties held several times a month. 

www.melaniegillis.com  |  www.studioghamilton.com