We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hayley Mellum. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hayley below.

Hayley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

Opening a performing arts business 2 months before a global pandemic

In the Summer of 2019, Nicole Surran ( Co-Owner) and I were sought out by a group of teenagers from our childhood dance studio looking to take classes from us. We both had moved on and taught dance at other local dance studios and these dancers were burnt out, frustrated, and had lost their passion for dancing. This was heartbreaking since that same studio these dancers were at was my safe place as a student dancer. We started with one fun class a week during that summer just to reignite the joy and fun that comes from dance. As the Fall season approached, we decided to continue with this once-a-week class, and by November we were preparing to launch our business 520 Dance Company in January.

We started slow and steady with 4 classes a week and one performance company rehearsal a week. We had one community performance event in February of 2020 with our big leap into the Tucson Arts scene scheduled for March 14th, 2020. As we all know, that performance was quickly called off the day before as the pandemic rocked the world. Two months into our official business we were at a standstill. What next? When can we be on the stage again?

After a week of pause, like most studios/schools, we jumped to a virtual connection (Thank you zoom!) We met almost every weeknight for classes of all styles. We worked on our technique while avoiding colliding with our pups, household objects, and walls. After 3 months, we got our first performance request…a virtual show. We learned a dance on Zoom and met outside at a park (masked at the time) and filmed our first concept video “A Change is Gonna Come”. After months of uncertainty, we finally were able to perform in a time when performing in the conventional way seemed to be gone forever.

We spent 14 months fully virtual. It was almost 2 years before we finally got to dance on a stage as a company, but the video platform changed how we looked at performance. Filming dance challenged me as a choreographer in a way the stage hadn’t. I had to think of dances in shots/ cuts instead of one whole piece with a clear front and back. Both Nicole and I learned how to film and edit all of our work and eventually host our own Virtual Shows.

We are now 4 years post-pandemic and we feel very fortunate to have survived that time. Our semi-professional performance company has grown from 6 dancers to 16 as well as offering classes for kids through adults (ages 3-80 plus).
Looking back, opening 2 months prior to a global pandemic was a hidden blessing that showed how powerful and perceiving the arts community is.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

About Me!

I am Hayley Mellum. I was born and raised in Tucson Arizona. My love for dance started at 3 in local parks and rec classes. At 5 I transitioned into a dance studio and at 12 I switched to a pre-professional ballet studio. I trained 25 hours a week in classical ballet as well as tap and jazz. I was fortunate to have amazing performance opportunities, including the Southwest Nutcracker with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, I received training from State Street Ballet and Long Beach Ballet. In the Summer of 2012, I spent the summer on the Long Beach Ambassadors Tour in China, touring around 10 different cities throughout China. In all my training I discovered my passion for teaching and choreography. I began teaching at 14 years old and haven’t stopped since. Before opening my own studio and performance company (520 Dance Company est.2020), I worked for many dance schools and choreographed countless dances for all styles/levels/ages. My choreography is like a microscope in my brain. Whether telling a storyline for a recital or telling the story the music tells me, I like to approach each project from a unique and authentic part of my story. I also think that with my training background, I am very aware as a dance teacher that words matter and actions. As a classical ballet dancer, you are told that the pain, disrespect, body shaming, and mental toll are all necessary to make you a “good” dancer because that’s what the people before you did. While dance itself is not easy, I believe that you can have great high-quality technique and strength without taking the torturous road of the past. My job as a teacher is to support you, not to tear you down.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Dance and performing has always been my passion. I trained intensely from 12- 18 years old. When I was 15, I had a recurring foot injury that put a wedge in my goal of dancing classical ballet professionally. During this time period, I was forced to sit out and watch classes and rehearsals. This forced break allowed me to watch how my teachers rehearsed and taught. I saw how small details can take a group piece from looking chaotic to looking like a vision. I even got to jump in and help create the vision of the choreographers. This allowed me to pivot into my own choreography.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is creating a safe community. I always felt that the studio was a safe place I always wanted to be regardless of things happening in my life. Dance helped me talk when I didn’t have the words (and it still does). Community goes beyond just a dance or a show or a performance. Those are all temporary, but the dance friends I made at 12 years old are still active in my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://520dancecompany.square.site/
• Instagram: 520dancecompany
• Facebook: 520dancecompany
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@520dancecompany9

Image Credits

Photos are all by me (Hayley Mellum)