Today we’d like to introduce you to Melinda Tamm.
Hi Melinda, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Ms. Melinda’s Dance Studio was born long before the doors ever opened. It started when a 10-year-old girl sat on her bedroom floor with crayons and notebook paper, sketching out her dream studio—rooms filled with music, dancers twirling in bright costumes, and a space where everyone felt welcome, inspired, and valued.
That little girl was Melinda.
From a young age, she wasn’t just imagining dancing… she was imagining teaching, leading, and creating a home for dancers of all ages. She wrote down her dream and drew the very studio she hoped would one day exist—a studio built on joy, community, and the belief that dance could truly change lives.
Years of training, teaching, and pouring her heart into the art form slowly transformed that childhood vision into something real. What began as sketches turned into a business plan, then into a small but mighty studio filled with passion and purpose. And as the dancers came, the programs grew, and the community wrapped its arms around the vision, Ms. Melinda’s Dance Studio blossomed into the award-winning, deeply loved studio it is today.
From a notebook at age 10 to a thriving 20-year legacy—MMDS is living proof that childhood dreams, when nurtured with hard work, heart, and a lot of dedication, really can come true.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Navigating Changing Economic Conditions
Fluctuating costs of operations, shifts in family spending habits, and broader economic pressures require constant financial adaptability while maintaining quality programs, fair staff compensation, and long-term sustainability.
Recovering From and Adapting After the Pandemic
COVID-19 reshaped the dance industry—from shifting enrollment patterns to new health and safety protocols and lasting changes in family expectations. Continuing to rebuild enrollment, restore consistency, and strengthen community trust remains an ongoing challenge.
Balancing Trends With the Integrity of the Program
Dance styles, class structures, and training expectations evolve quickly as social media accelerates what’s “popular.” The challenge lies in integrating fresh, relevant styles and opportunities without compromising the curriculum, technique standards, or long-standing vision of the studio.
Keeping Up With Social Media Influence
Trends, aesthetics, and viral choreography shape dancers’ perceptions. It takes intentional leadership to educate families on real technique, meaningful training progressions, and safety—while still leveraging social media as a powerful tool for inspiration and branding.
Continuous Staff Development and Training
Ensuring instructors stay knowledgeable, aligned, and inspired requires ongoing professional development, mentorship, and system-building—especially as the industry evolves at a rapid pace.
Meeting Diverse Student Needs While Maintaining Standards
Balancing the needs of recreational dancers, pre-professional students, competitive teams, and specialized programs requires clarity, structure, and strong communication. Each group has unique expectations and goals, and meeting all of them without diluting the program is a complex task.
Sustaining Growth Through Organizational Structure
As the studio grows, so does the need for multi-layered leadership, clear KPIs, strong systems, and strategic planning to maintain excellence while expanding offerings across departments.
Maintaining a Clear Vision Through Change
With each new season, trend, and cultural shift, staying anchored in the studio’s core mission—education, community, mentorship, and making a difference—while still embracing innovation is a constant challenge and a defining pillar of successful leadership.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
From the very beginning, the studio was more than a business—it was a calling. Turning my 10-year-old self’s drawings into a real, thriving dance studio stands as one of my greatest achievements. Very few people get to say they built the exact dream they once imagined as a child.
Over the years, MMDS has become widely recognized as a leader in dance education, both within Minnesota and across the Dance Studio Owners Association. This is a testament to high standards, intentional programs, and the heart behind the studio’s mission.
What began small has grown into a sophisticated, multi-layered organization that includes competitive teams, recreational programs, preschool classes, tumbling and acro, aerial arts, ballet, and specialty workshops. This type of expansion requires vision, planning, and relentless follow-through—something I am deeply proud of.
MMDS isn’t only a home for dancers; it’s a home for educators, leaders, and rising young professionals. Over 20 years, I have had the privilege of hiring, mentoring, and developing dozens of staff members—creating career paths in the arts and giving teachers a place to grow, contribute, and thrive.
One of the greatest joys of this work has been watching dancers grow up, graduate, and take the lessons learned at the studio into their adult lives. From professional dancers to nurses, teachers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders—our alumni carry confidence, resilience, and self-worth that began right here at MMDS.
Trends in dance move quickly—accelerated by social media, pop culture, and changing aesthetics. Remaining current while staying true to the values and curriculum I believe in has been a delicate balance and a point of pride. The studio evolves, but its mission remains steady: uplifting dancers, inspiring growth, and making a difference in their lives.
My work with local organizations—from the Chamber of Commerce to the Paramount Center for the Arts to the CentraCare Holly Ball Committee—has strengthened the studio’s role in the community and deepened our connection to Central Minnesota’s cultural heartbeat.
Behind the scenes of every class and performance is a foundation of strategy: KPIs, leadership development, hiring processes, enrollment systems, and a long-term plan for sustainable growth. I am proud that MMDS isn’t just a studio—it’s a well-designed organization built to thrive for decades to come.
Above all, I am proud of the joy, confidence, and belonging the studio has brought to generations of dancers. For 20 years, MMDS has been a place where children feel seen, valued, and celebrated. That impact—deep, lasting, and heartfelt—is the real legacy.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
As Ms. Melinda’s Dance Studio steps into its next chapter, the heart of who we are remains unchanged. We are a studio built on values, fueled by community, and strengthened by two decades of dedication, innovation, and unwavering belief in the power of dance to shape lives.
In a constantly changing world, we continue to evolve with new styles, fresh ideas, and expanded programs, yet we remain rooted in the mission that has guided us from the start: to inspire growth, nurture self-worth, and create a space where every dancer feels seen, supported, and celebrated.
For those seeking more than a dance class—for those looking for a community, a home, and a place where their child can truly flourish—Ms. Melinda’s Dance Studio stands ready to welcome you. Here, you don’t just join a program. You become part of a legacy. And we can’t wait to dance into the future together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.msmelindas.com
- Instagram: Msmelindasdance
- Facebook: Msmelindasdancestudioi
- Youtube: msmelindasdance1
