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
