Starting tonight at Midnight Eastern, 9PM Pacific, Melanie Benz joins the Smooth Jazz Network as Late-Night Host. Melanie joins Sandy Kovach (Mornings), Miranda Wilson (Mid-days), Allen Kepler (Afternoons) and Maria Lopez (Evenings) to round out the 24 hour network.
“I have worked with Melanie over the years in the acting world and I am thrilled to have her join our elite on-air team," Allen Kepler says. "She brings a great energy and the perfect vibe for our late-night listeners." Melanie is a welcome addition and says, “I am very excited and honored to join the Smooth Jazz network team!”
Born and raised in Miami, Florida Melanie began dancing at the tender age of 4 and trained technically in all forms of dance . The acting bug hit her at age 9 and she landed 20 national commercials under her belt. She continued her dance training in Miami under famed choreographer Mia Michaels and became an NBA dancer for the Miami Heat. She moved to LA and booked multiple tours traveling the world with Pop Stars Jennifer Lopez, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake and was the only dancer hired on Pink’s Missunderztood tour. She also danced on numerous Music Videos and Award Shows. The Grammy’s, Billboard Awards, American Music Awards, Kids Choice Awards, MTV VMA’s, Saturday Night Live, Dancing With The Stars and Good Morning America with Top artists - Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jay-Z, Will Smith, Usher, Tina Turner, NSYNC, Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Missy Elliot, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey and was the body double for Beyonce on a tv performance… All while being the assistant choreographer to the one and only, Tina Landon. Melanie is also an actress and on the big screen in The Muppets Movie, Charlie's Angels II, The Hot Chick, Malibu's Most Wanted, and From Justin to Kelly. Her acting chops got her in The hit movie The Lincoln Lawyer next to Matthew McConaughey, the lead actress opposite Forest Whitaker in the film City of Lies, All American on The CW, the latest season of Grey’s Anatomy, a recurring role on the Netflix show The Lincoln Lawyer, season 3 of The Chosen, and just finished filming the movie Tin Soldier starring Robert DeNiro. Melanie was the assistant choreographer to Tyce Diorio for Taylor Swift on her sold out - Red Tour and his assistant on two seasons of So You Think You Can Dance. Summing up her career she worked on The Voice as a movement and staging coach for the contestants. Incredibly passionate, Melanie continues to spread her love of performing and positivity around the world to inspire young dancers, actors, and singers to dream big and embrace their uniqueness!