Check Out Mia Chevelle’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Chevelle.

Mia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up playing basketball since I could walk. My dad was a coach for a high school basketball team and he taught me everything I knew. I expected to play my entire life and hopefully play in college on a scholarship. When I got to high school, I ended up playing on the varsity team my freshman year and ran track. Dance was not in the picture at all and honestly didn’t become an interest until my parents split up and I had to change schools. During my junior year of high school, I had walked by a group of dancers practicing outside. I think they had just started the dance club at the school and I remember standing and watching. It looked like a lot of fun and the teacher at the time noticed me watching and offered me to join in. I decided to give it a try and that was the moment I realized that I wanted to make this a new hobby. I remember watching youtube videos of my favorite dancers/choreographers and teaching myself the choreography, and that was before you were able to mirror videos. By my senior year, I had decided to officially step away from basketball and track and focus on dancing. The school had just hired a dance teacher and offered a class for the Spring semester. I fell in love with the art and performed in that school’s first ever Spring Dance Concert. I was their first Senior soloist performer. Unfortunately, after I graduated from high school, the community college I went to did not offer dance. Back then, I didn’t know a lot about the dance studio community. I eventually took a few studio classes but not much else. Since dance was very new to me, it felt like stepping into a very foreign space, I knew this journey would be one I had to do on my own. I wasn’t quite ready to take that step at the time. Therefore, I took a break from dance during my community college years, only taking a few classes here and there. When I got accepted to Cal State Northridge, I really wanted to minor in dance while I worked towards my Bachelor’s in Kinesiology. Since the Kinesiology department was so impacted, I couldn’t major and minor in Kin., but I consistently took classes at CSUN to gain the experience. I met my first mentor Liezel Marie when I signed up for the Street Dance Styles course. She really opened my eyes to all the possibilities dance offered. I learned that I could actually make dance a career and that it can be more than just a hobby. I could actually pursue something I was really passionate about. Through her I was able to perform in my first Choreographer’s Carnival and dance at Universal Studios’ City Walk. I continued to dance with her even after completing my Bachelor’s and while enrolled in the Teacher Credential program at CSUN.

Not long after obtaining my degree, COVID-19 had spread and became a pandemic. Everyday during the lockdown I would set a side time to dance in my garage. I would either freestyle or learn choreography through STEEZY or other online programs. Once the lockdown ended, I began regularly taking classes at studios while working full-time as a substitute teacher, taking college courses to finish my credential program, and training/performing with CSUN Hip Hop – one of CSUN’s dance teams now called Northridge Street Dancers.

In 2021, nearing the end of the credential program, I got a full time teaching position at Louis Armstrong Middle School, then called Millikan Middle School. They have a great performing arts program where students can receive intense training in dance, musical theater, drama, music, voice and film. I was hired to be one of three dance teachers in their program. There, I met Indira Tyler who became a mentor and a second mom to me. During this time, I was also voted to be CSUN Hip Hop’s president. It was a very busy chapter in my life. I was still in school working on the EdTPA (a very thorough teacher portfolio with 50+ pages of commentary and reflections plus video footage) and I had no experience with creating choreography, and the job I was hired for required me to choreograph around five or more shows a year. For most of those shows, I had to create 5-10 pieces each. On top of that, I had to create for my universities dance team, but I did it. I honestly don’t know how, but I was able to do this and take evening dance classes regularly at different studios in the community. By the end of 2023, I spear headed and worked with the other dance teachers to create Louis Armstrong’s Dance Company. I am so proud to say that I played a role in bringing this company to life. Those students have received training from some amazing guest teachers and they have all grown so much. This year, Louis Armstrong was chosen to have a visit from Alvin Ailey Dance Company for a dance workshop. Our Company students had the privilege of working with them.

In 2024, I was displaced. I had to find another school for employment. I was in Japan when I received a message from my first dance teacher at my old high school stating that one of their dance teachers were leaving and that they were looking for someone to take their spot. I literally pulled up Canva, redid my resume, and sent it in the middle of the night while I was in the hotel. I ended up getting the job and now I am one of the dance teachers at the school that lit my passion for dance and I get to work with my first dance teacher. It’s crazy how things come full circle. Now, though I do work as a full time teacher, I make time to train and work on professional dance jobs. It has taken a lot of work, determination, time, and energy to maintain both professions, but I am not willing to put aside my professional dance dreams. I make it work. And I work hard to make it work. Eventually I see myself stepping away from teaching to do more in the professional dance world when the right jobs come along, which I know they will. For now, I am just staying patient and determined.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was a challenging experience. I often felt inadequate because I began dancing later than most of my peers, who had been dancing since they were very young, while I only started serious training when I arrived at CSUN. Maintaining a positive outlook on my journey was sometimes tough. I had to come to terms with the fact that my path wouldn’t mirror that of those around me, and even though I started late, I possessed a unique talent that deserved to shine.

Balancing dance, school, and work was a struggle. My days were incredibly long and exhausting, often ending around midnight. Between work, leading rehearsals, performing in shows/events, homework, and dance classes, I always prioritized dance and did everything possible to keep up with my training.

The pandemic and the years following the lockdown were among the darkest periods of my life. I fell into a deep depression, and it took me about five years to start feeling like myself again. Despite everything, I continued to fight to move forward. My schedule was packed, and I worked diligently at everything I did, even while suffering internally. It has been a long journey, but I take immense pride in all that I have achieved along the way.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve gotten to train with some amazing people over the years. Cameron Lee, Aisha Francis, Sienna Lyons, David Slaney, Mitchell Kelly, Lula Washington, Liezel de Guzman, Indira Tyler and many more. I have a experience in a little bit of everything, but I would say most of my experience is in heels, jazz funk, and hip-hop. I do have a little experience in modern styles such as Horton and Dunham. I’ve gotten to work on projects with Universal Studios City Walk, Warner Bros., A Noise Within, World of Dance, and The 818 Insider. I’ve worked on a variety of music videos as a dancer and a choreographer. I have even had unique opportunities working with actors in movement direction and choreography on professional play productions directed by Andi Chapman. I am actually currently hired to assist a choreographer on a musical. I honestly did not see myself working with actors on live plays, but I have had some of the best experiences on these jobs.

In regards to my profession in public education, I actually have 10+ years experience working with students. Right after high school I worked as an Instructional Aide and later a Teacher’s Assistant for about 6 years and then became a substitute teacher for 1 year. As a full time public school teacher, I am on my 4th year of teaching dance and physical education.

I am proud of being able to do so much. I have been able to make time to do what I love and that’s a beautiful thing. I love that I played a role creating the dance company in Louis Armstrong Middle School, they are such a fierce team. I have also been able to create some amazing pieces, and for someone that is still very new to choreography, I have to say I am so proud of myself for the growth and the kinds of work I have been able to put together.

What sets me apart from others? I have recently learned that I am a visionary. I see these pictures in my head and I don’t know how, but I am able to bring these visions to life through my work in regards to choreography. I’m also someone that knows how to figure things out and make it work. People can rely on and me, and most importantly I can rely on myself. In regards to me as a dancer, I understand concepts very easily, and I know what it takes to bring a vision to life. I know how to perform and emote on stage. As an educator, I know how to be a mentor to students. I don’t give in to their wants all the time, but I make sure to give them what they need so they can build their confidence and become successful adults. I’m most proud of the moments where my students who are considered the underdogs, or feel like the underdogs, get to shine.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Both of my parents are educators. My mom actually went through college and got 2 Master’s degrees and a teaching credential while pregnant in her 30s. My dad use to clean carpet for a living and pivoted when he decided to go to college to become a teacher as well. They both grew up in Pacoima, and my mom’s mother actually cleaned houses for a living. They both grew up lower class and have worked hard to be where they are now. Their work ethic has definitely rubbed off on me. And the fact that I was raised an athlete first by my dad, made me have tough skin. I am not one to make excuses for things, and even when I do fall short, I make needed changes to my life so I can keep moving forward. My parents are really the reason why I have been able to do all the things I do and I am so appreciative of all the lessons I have learned from them.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @miaxchevelle
• Other: https://app.castingnetworks.com/talent/public-profile/6d529e18-f791-11ef-a671-2f300c54b129

Image Credits
Gregory Kasunich @gregoryjmkasunich
Amy Maramba @amymaramba
Vicki Lalane @visualsbyvictoria.vbv
Vince Trupsin @vincetrupsinstudio