Story & Lesson Highlights with Michela Melone of LA

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Michela Melone. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Michela, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me is never exactly the same, but I try to keep some structure when possible. Unless I am working on a specific project or class, my mornings start with a great breakfast and then I get moving as soon as possible so that my body and mind are ready for the day. That can look different depending on where I am and what I need: sometimes it means going to the gym for strength training or cardio, and other times it is at home doing stretches and different exercises.

After that, I dedicate time to emails, project planning, and keeping up with everything from my dance company to freelance choreography to commercial and artistic collaborations. I also make sure every once in a while that my materials are up to date, whether it is my resume, casting profile, videos, or pictures. Afternoons are often spent in rehearsals or planning alone, and depending on the day I could have shows or events at night.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Michela Melone, an Italian-Brazilian dancer, choreographer, and creative based in Los Angeles. My work blends different dance styles and I feel it reflects my own story of coming from multiple cultural backgrounds and movement traditions. I love to explore athletic and dynamic movement, while also weaving in Brazilian, Afro-Brazilian, and Afro-Indigenous dances in a way that feels authentic to me.

I am currently developing AlmaMoto, a dance collective that brings together these influences and gives me the space to create and collaborate more deeply. Alongside this, I continue to divide my time between Los Angeles, Brazil, and Italy, where I am not only performing but also organizing projects and choreographing internationally. Over the years I’ve been fortunate to appear in music videos, commercials, and live performances with brands and artists like Jordan x Nike, FIFA, Xbox, The Weeknd, and many others, while at the same time pursuing my own artistic voice and projects.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child I believed that dance had to look a certain way and that I would eventually have to choose between breaking, hip hop, ballet, contemporary, jazz, or another single path. For a long time I carried that pressure with me, and even today I sometimes feel it. Over the years I have realized that my true strength is in being true to myself, and for me that means embracing all of these different sides. Sometimes they come together in my work, and other times they stand on their own, but they are always a part of me and of who I am as an artist.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to trust that who she is will always be enough. There were so many moments when I felt I had to prove myself or fit into other people’s expectations of what a dancer or an artist should look like. I would remind her that her uniqueness, her background, and even her doubts are part of what will make her journey meaningful. I would tell her not to waste energy comparing herself to others, because her path will not look like anyone else’s, and that is exactly what will make it special. I would tell her to keep going, to stay curious, and to believe that all the things that feel like obstacles now will eventually become her strengths. And most importantly, I would remind her that she will find joy and freedom in the very things she once thought were limitations.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends would say that professionalism and responsibility really matter to me. I care a lot about creating an environment where things run smoothly, where everyone feels respected, and where people can do their best work without unnecessary stress. Organization is important to me, not for the sake of being rigid, but because I believe it creates safety and trust in the room. Whether I am choreographing, teaching, or performing, I want the people around me to feel taken care of, to know that their time and energy are valued, and that they are part of something meaningful. For me, that sense of respect and professionalism is just as much a part of the art as the movement itself.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe I am doing what I was born to do, not what I was told to do. When I was younger, most of the suggestions I received, from teachers, from people close to me, and even from people I never asked for advice, pointed me toward the exact opposite of what I am doing today. The message was always to choose the safe path. But over time I have realized that the safe path is not really safe if it takes you away from your truth. What people often forget is that when they give advice, even with the best intentions, they do not know everything. They do not know your life, your drive, your vision, your skills, or what it feels like to be you. They are not the ones who will live with the consequences of those choices. That is why the only real path worth taking is the one that comes from yourself.

For me, the safest bet has always been betting on myself. At least then I know I tried. Maybe nothing changes, and that is fine. But what if something does change? What if that one choice to follow your own instincts creates an opportunity, opens a door, or makes a dream possible? That is worth everything. And even if it is difficult, even if it is uncertain, I would rather walk a road that feels true to me than spend my life on one that was chosen by someone else.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://michelamelone.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelamelone.dance/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michela-alessandra-melone/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michela.a.melone
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@michelamelone

Image Credits
Mattia Di Niro, Vance Smith