Passionate about sharing the life-changing power of dance–– CEO and founder of Melody DanceFit, Melody Afkami pioneered a new class experience that transcends traditional fitness and dance. Notorious for her humorous and inspirational message to let go of what you look like and focus on the mental release of dance, Melody’s online community has now reached millions. Melody DanceFit was the first dance fitness brand in Austin to rent out local concert venues and bars in lieu of the traditional studio. What started out as a small ten person class quickly grew into events of a hundred plus people–– selling out venues all over town. From her disco-lit classes to her online Dance To Heal program, Melody has cultivated a following that is hooked on her message of self-acceptance, embracing duality, and allowing dance to immediately draw you into the present moment. With an emphasis on empowerment and mental health, her company is dedicated to helping people feel less alone in their struggles. Since its founding, MDF donates to the international nonprofit Dress For Success. Afkami is also a keynote speaker and has been featured on CBS News, Texas Monthly Magazine, and Huffington Post. She has taught for international conferences and festivals, including SXSW and Austin City Limits Music Festival. She’s been hired by companies such as Lululemon, Facebook, Bumble, and Google and has recently presented on TEDx stage. Melody’s life mission is to take the intimidation out of dance to help people access it as a transformative tool in their lives, and her viral YouTube video'Havana' boasting over 40 million views certainly proves that.