Melanie Fine joined Suigetsu Dojo as co-owner and instructor in December of 1995. She began her study of the martial arts as a graduate student in 1976. She studied Tae Kwon Do for 2 years, then began an 18 year study of Tang Soo Do under Master Maynard Stanley in Cincinnati, Ohio. She received her Shodan in 1982, Nidan in 1985, and Sandan in 1991. She was Head Instructor of Karate Temple in Columbus, Ohio, for 7 years during that period. Upon moving to Corpus Christi, Texas, she continued teaching Tang Soo Do, and began studying Aikido and Arnis.

In 1994, she met Sensei Masi and became her student in JuJutsu. She received her Shodan in 1999 and Nidan in 2001. In addition to her continuing study of JuJutsu, she is training in T'ai Chi Ch'uan as a student of Master Wasentha Young and in Soshoryu Iaido and is a member in the Sosho Shinrenbukai Federation.

Sensei Fine is a lifetime member of JuJitsu America and the National Women's Martial Arts Federation. She served on the Board of the NWMAF for 7 years - 5 years as Treasurer, and 2 years as Chair from 1990 through 1997.