LA Dance programs Archives

The L.A. dancer and nonprofit founder shares how Fostering Dreams Project uses dance and performing arts to empower foster and underserved youth.

Melanie Buttarazzi was always dancing, but it wasn’t until her high school involvement in outreach programs that she realized how dance is more than performance. Years later she created her L.A.-based nonprofit Fostering Dreams Project to use dance as a vehicle for building confidence, creativity, resilience and other life skills among foster and at-risk youth.

We spoke with Melanie to hear more about her background as a dancer and what’s next for her nonprofit.

You’ve been a professional dancer for over 15 years. How did you first discover dance?

I actually discovered dance when I was just three years old after watching MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This” music video. I remember being fascinated by the dancers and trying to copy all the moves in my living room. We recorded the music video on the VCR (remember those?) and I kept rewinding and playing it on repeat every day! From that moment on, my mom put me in dance I was obsessed. Dance just made me feel alive, and I knew even as a little kid that it was something I loved.

Did you have a mentor growing up? What role did that person play in your life and your career?

My dad has definitely been my biggest mentor. He’s a Juno Award-winning musician and Latin flamenco guitarist, Robert Michaels, and I grew up watching him perform and seeing what it takes to build a career as an artist. I started dancing in his live shows when I was 15, and I’ve been lucky enough to perform with him around the world. Those experiences taught me so much, not just about performing, but about professionalism, discipline and treating people with kindness. He’s always believed in me and encouraged me to follow my dreams. My mom has been just as supportive, but my dad really showed me what was possible and inspired me to pursue a career in the arts.

Tell us about Fostering Dreams Project. What inspired you to create it?

The idea for Fostering Dreams Project really started when I was in high school. I was involved in a few outreach programs that showed me how powerful dance could be for bringing people together and making a difference in someone’s life. I remember thinking, I want to do this one day.

Then years later after I moved to L.A., I met a former foster youth whose story really stayed with me. Hearing about everything they had gone through made me realize how many young people don’t have the opportunities or support they deserve. That’s when I knew I wanted to use dance for something bigger than performing. I wanted to create a place where young people could feel seen, build confidence, express themselves and realize their potential.

Today, that’s exactly what Fostering Dreams Project is all about. We use dance and the performing arts to empower, educate and inspire youth, especially foster, underserved and system-impacted youth, and help them discover just how capable they really are.

What are the benefits of dance and the performing arts for at-risk and foster youth?

Dance is about so much more than learning choreography. It’s a way for young people to express themselves when they don’t always have the words. It helps build confidence, trust, resilience, creativity and connection.

One of my favorite things is watching a student walk into class feeling shy or unsure of themselves and then seeing them perform in front of hundreds of people a few weeks later with this huge smile on their face. One of the most powerful things I’ve witnessed was having a youth from our rehab center program come up to me after class and say “Melanie do you know it’s easier for me to be living on the streets and running from the cops than it is to be in your dance class? As shocked as I was to hear that she then proceeded to say, “the reason why I’m telling you this is because you never let me give up, you never let me run out of class and you taught me how to stick with something and I want to thank you because today I enrolled in college and I’m going to stick with it and live my dream of being a chef.”

That transformation was the moment I knew this program was more than just dance. We were giving young people a chance to see themselves differently, a place to belong, learn a new skill, try something new and hard, overcome challenges, step out of their comfort zone and see what’s possible. We’re giving them a chance to reimagine with their future can look like and to believe in themselves that they can achieve it. We’ve also seen improvements in school attendance, classroom participation, teamwork, and overall well-being. When young people feel like they belong and believe in themselves, amazing things happen.

How did Fostering Dreams link up with Together California?

Together California and Fostering Dreams really share the same heart and we both believe every young person deserves the opportunity to have support systems and thrive. We connected through our shared passion for supporting youth and strengthening communities, and it just felt like such a natural fit. We’re so excited to be partnering with them and bringing dance and performing arts programming to youth and families in the Antelope Valley. It’s the beginning of what I hope will be a really meaningful, long-term partnership.

What’s the best life advice you’ve ever received?

Probably from my dad. He’s always told me that talent is important, but your work ethic, your character and how you treat people are what really matter. I’ve carried that with me throughout my career. At the end of the day, people may remember what you accomplished, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel.

When you’re not working, where can we find you? What are some of your favorite spots in L.A.?

Honestly, you’ll probably find me with my husband and our two kids. I love spending time with my family. We love being outside, whether it’s going to the beach, hiking, exploring parks, or just finding fun places around Los Angeles to take the kids. I also love grabbing coffee, finding new restaurants, and every chance I get, I’ll still jump into a dance class just for fun. Dance is always my happy place.

L.A. tap dancer and mom Melinda Sullivan talks motherhood, her career in dance, arts education and her new leadership role at The Colburn School.

Celebrated tap dancer, Melinda Sullivan, was recently named the Chair of Trudl Zipper Dance Institute Tap Department at The Colburn School. The L.A. mom of two is a tap dancer, choreographer, performer and educator whose career spans film, TV and theater. Her professional credits include “La La Land,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “Glee,” and Broadway’s “Flying Over Sunset.” She has been on the faculty at the Colburn School for the past 15 years. We recently chatted with her about her growing up years, being a mom and the importance of arts education.

We would love to learn more about you and your growing up years. Did you grow up in L.A.? Were you the kid who danced as soon as you walked?

I grew up in Ventura County just north of Los Angeles. I was the kid who couldn’t stop moving my feet. My mom put me in tap dance classes at 4 and I fell in love. I would watch movies with Gregory Hines, Fred Astaire and Bill Robinson. My mom’s family is from Colombia so there was constant Cumbia and Salsa dance parties as well.

Tell us a little about how the love of dance started for you.

Eventually, I trained in all styles of dance, but tap was the art form that really connected with me. The element of improvisation and rhythmic expression gave me a creative voice, and that felt like having a superpower.

When did you know dance was going to be your career?

During my senior year of high school, I flew to NYC and did a bunch of open call auditions. I booked the National Tour of “CATS the Musical.” I felt like I was joining the circus, and in many ways, I was! I’ve always tried to keep the mindset of a student, continuing to train and be professional as well, because life as a dancer and performer is fickle and inconsistent. You should always have your craft and relationships to support you.

How old are your kids? Do they like to dance?

Our house is a constant dance party. My 5-year-old is studying at the Colburn School where I teach and serve as a Tap Dance chair. There are wonderful early childhood dance classes available in Ballet, Creative, Dance and Tap at Colburn. My 2-year-old loves rhythm and music, and I can see them following in their siblings footsteps.

What are some of the challenges and joys of juggling motherhood and a career in the arts?

Becoming a mother has given me so much appreciation and gratefulness for my life as an artist. All the clichés are true…there’s no such thing as work life balance. It’s hard to be away from your children. And yet the work I do is so fulfilling and I truly believe that arts education and music can change the world. Another cliché! But with tap dance in particular, there is inherent joy in the dancer, which is transferred to the watcher/listener.

Tell us about “Music Grows on Trees” and why you decided to record a children’s music album.

I am very much inspired by Raffi and Laurie Berkner, two children’s artists that my family listens to a lot. It was a really fun experience to create music that I can enjoy with my kids AND that also I could listen to on repeat. It features incredible musicians and the music was written by myself and composer Larry Goldings. The songs are very much inspired by real life moments such as “It’s Time to Go,” which is about getting the family out of the house in the morning, and whimsical and silly characters, like “Flying Squirrels.” The album is streaming wherever you get your music and we are on IG/Youtube.

How can parents encourage their child’s creative passions without either pushing too hard or trying to talk them out of their creative dreams.

Children are inherently creative, musical and artistic. For the kids who are drawn to dance, I would encourage parents to choose teachers and mentors that teach good technique, encourage cross training and understand that children need to be supported mentally and emotionally as well. If a junior or senior in high school has demonstrated that they want to pursue the arts, I would encourage both studying at a collegiate level, as there are many wonderful programs, but also finding real world experience related to your art. Get involved with your community. For instance, if you are a tap dancer wanting to become professional, see if you can assist a tap teacher in the classroom, shadow a choreographer, or volunteer at a dance festival to learn about the administrative side.

What are some of your goals for the Colburn School as you begin this new role?

Passing on the tradition of tap dance is my life’s work and mission. It is often neglected in institutions because it can be just seen as entertainment. Why I have continued to build as an educator at Colburn for the past 15 years is because here, we are passionate about honoring the artform in its entirety. The culture, the nuance, the musicality and the ancestors in the artform. I and the rest of the faculty, will continue to help shape the students as technicians, musicians, most importantly, tap improvisers who are finding their own voices through rhythm and movement

When not working, where will we find you?

When I’m not working, I’m doing laundry. Or at the park with my family. Or planning my next Music Grows on Trees show! I perform at the Dinosaur Farm in South Pasadena.

What are some of your favorite places in and around LA that you enjoy with your family.
Huntington Gardens, Kidspace Museum, LA Historic Park, Listening to music at Jones Coffee, South Pasadena Farmer’s Market and Homestate for tacos

Meet Melanie Buttarazzi, Founder of Fostering Dreams Project

The L.A. dancer and nonprofit founder shares how Fostering Dreams Project uses dance and performing arts to empower foster and underserved youth.

Meet Melinda Sullivan, Tap Dancer and Colburn School Educator

L.A. tap dancer and mom Melinda Sullivan talks motherhood, her career in dance, arts education and her new leadership role at The Colburn School.

L.A. Parent