Eliminated: Top 18

Still in shock over making the SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA Top 20, 22-year-old Latin ballroom dance teacher and choreographer Melanie Buttarazzi was surprised by her ability to "stay strong mentally and physically throughout the highs and lows of finals week," she says.

Dance is not Melanie's only strength and her father, Juno Award-winning musician Robert Michaels, taught her to play guitar at the tender age of eight. Currently enrolled in York University's Dance program, Melanie can add ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, hip hop and flamenco dance styles to her long list of dance styles.

Melanie is most comfortable when she is on stage and she dreams of one day performing with either Janet Jackson or Madonna, who she admires because "she is such a powerful and strong woman and I love her attitude and her whole philosophy on life."

Inspired by all those who chose to pursue a career in dance, Melanie hopes to one day gain the admiration and respect of both her peers and aspiring dancers. Melanie believes she can most relate to SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA Season 1 competitor Natalli Reznik "because she is so versatile and has such strong determination and passion for dance," she says.

Mastering choreography outside of her Latin ballroom comfort zone has been the most challenging part of the competition for Melanie. She maintains, however, that positivity and focus have helped her to rise above these physical tests. Melanie believes the SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA experience has taught her that "it is so important to believe in yourself every step of the way. If your confidence shines through then nothing else matters," she says.