Meet Melissa Schade | Dance teacher/choreographer movement director/entertainer/healer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Schade and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, what do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being unapologetically and authentically myself, being extremely personable, and being all inclusive.  As I have matured I have become more myself than ever and I keep evolving within myself, transforming, and growing. People enjoy authenticity and when people are being themselves it is magnetic. It takes time to not be afraid to be yourself and to know that what you have and who you are is special, and people want YOU..the real you. I am happy to make work and teach ideas that feel unique to me! Speaking of people..I just love people. I am a people person. I love interacting, connecting, teaching, dancing with people, and making people laugh!! My ability to be myself, raw, and vulnerable makes it easy to speak to and connect with people…I am not so different from you. I am relatable and not intimidating. I have the gift of gab and I can really work a room with my humor and casual nature.  Lastly, the class I teach and the art I create is for everybody.  That is why I am successful.  No alienation. No exclusivity.  ALSO, Presence. Joy.  Love. I show up for myself and others and I am completely present, and I teach presence through movement. I spread joy and spark joy in myself and others wherever I go. I teach people to be in the frequency of love, to love themselves, their bodies, community, music, movement, and to feel safe in doing so.  It’s freedom!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a dance teacher, choreographer, movement director, entertainer, and healer.  I do all things dance and movement related. Most folks would know me from my all levels dance class I teach on the weekends, my annual birthday party/variety show, or my various works in the industry. What I think sets me apart from the masses is my ability to spread joy wherever I go. I have made it my purpose to spark joy in myself and others, to lead from the heart, and make sure I continue to heal myself so that I can heal others, teach others, lead others..plus art should always heal. My all levels adult dance class IS A PARTY!!! I have 50 adults every Sunday dancing their hearts out, all levels, all ages. I teach adults to love their bodies, feel safe in their bodies, and feel safe moving their bodies in front of their community. On any given day we are healing our inner child, healing and realigning our chakras, and just having a great time! We play, we party, we learn, we dance, we rejoice!  We are alive!!

Also, my birthday has been called the party of the year. Not just by me..lol. For the last 9 years I have put on a birthday party/variety show called “Hey, it’s me Meliss…” I get all of my super talented friends to choreograph numbers, sing a song, do a skit, make me something as a birthday gift. I curate the show, make a theme (this year the theme was Magic), I pick a host (this year the host was John C. Reilly), I choreograph the opening and closing number, and the rest is a surprise! It’s a beautiful gift and surprise for me and for the audience. Because the show is made with so much love and is so unhinged, it ends up being the best evening ever. There is always a dance party after and people DANCE because they are so inspired by the show. You will have to come next year. Talk about a joy spreader. The frequency of the party is high! This year we sold out a 360 seat theater. It was a blast!

I have built a pretty awesome community and learned how to do that from the best. 2 of my mentors Kate Hutter and Ryan Heffington. It has taken me 17 years in LA to get me to this point. Packed classes, sold out show, amazing resources and collaborators.  I have worked with so many awesome brands, bands, artists etc. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire, Vogue Magazine, Nike…it took me a lot of hard work, perseverance, determination to get where I am. I have learned that just keeping at it is the key. Don’t give up on yourself. Ever. Just keep showing up, for yourself, for others, being present and conscious, doing your best, and not letting anyone or anything dim your light. If you love something just keep doing it. And do it with love and authenticity. Oh yea patience too. Also, I JUST LOVE DANCE. It’s a basic human right. When you dance you can fly, you are free, closer to yourself and Source.
My brand is Joy
Thank you
Meliss
xoxo

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
OK here we go I’m just gunna bullet point people place things..
●walk around the Silverlake reservoir grab an iced matcha and blue corn muffin at LA Mill
●hike Griffith
●drive through Topanga and go to the beach
●STUD COUNTRY
●Toogie’s breathwork class
●Back to back dance class. 1st Nathan Kim’s Dance Magic followed by my Dance class
●Casita Del Campo for a drag show and chips and salsa
● eat a Jewel

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mentors: Ryan Heffington for teaching me that everyone is a dancer, for teaching me how to make dance accessible for all, and that community is important.Kate Hutter for teaching me how to plie, how to partner, how to do floorwork, and for always supporting me. KCT for teaching me to be a boss lady, for empowering me so much in this lifetime, and for always taking me with her.  My Mom for teaching me everything, including how to teach, choreograph, dance, be incredibly creative, put on shows, and host the best parties.

Website: Melissaschade.com

Instagram: MLSCHADE

Image Credits
Mela Laval