Dana Alvarez is a certified teacher, Theatre Director of Melody Lane Performing Arts Center in Cape Coral, and SW Florida musical theatre performer. Under her team's direction, Melody Lane has earned the highest honors of Outstanding Productions at JTF twice and have been a New Works Showcase group. She has directed over 50 major musicals since, including three Disney pilot productions. Dana also taught Gifted learners and ran the Drama program. She received her B.A. in Elementary Education from FGCU as well as certification in Drama, grades 6-12. At the Junior Theater Festival in 2020 with MLPAC, Dana earned the honor of the Freddie G Teaching Fellowship in NYC. Additionally, as an elementary teacher, she was named the Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year (2013) and received the Charter School Lighthouse Teacher of the Year Award (2014). She was also on the Young Artists Awards Board of Directors for 5 years, assisting with their local scholarship program. As a performer, she has enjoyed being a part of such shows as Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Seussical (Gertrude), Music Man (Marian), Jekyll and Hyde (Emma), and South Pacific (Nellie). One of her most exciting life experiences was being on (and winning) Wheel of Fortune in 2020! Her greatest role however, is mother to two wonderful little ones, Dylan and Zoey.