Creating a legacy in the dance studio

ASHEBORO — They’re a mother-daughter team who share a passion — dancing.

Melanie Haynes and her daughter Haygan hope to spread that passion to Asheboro. They will open Legacy Dance Connection this summer with dance classes for everyone from age 2 and up.

The studio will take up first floor space at 15 S. Fayetteville St., at the site of the former Wachovia Bank. There will be two large studios with mirrors on the walls and injury-prevention flooring. Parents will be able to watch their children through observation windows.

Both Melanie and Haygan have been dancing all their lives and have resumes to earn the right to teach others. 

“I started dancing at 2,” Melanie said, when her mother took her to dance classes with Debbie Roberts in Archdale. “I fell in love with dancing.”

Later, she earned a nursing degree but soon realized that “dancing was my passion,” and bought a studio. “I owned the studio for 23 years in Archdale before selling it four years ago to spend more time with my family.”

That was during the time that Haygan was at UNC-Charlotte earning a bachelor’s degree in dancing. During her college career, she was on the Forty-Niner dance team, becoming captain her senior year and being named MVP. She also received the Coaches’ Award.

Among her many dancing achievements, Haygan is now a member of the Carolina Panthers’ dance team, the Top Cats. She was honored by the team as Rookie of the Year.

Meanwhile, Melanie spent 11 years coaching the High Point University dance team and six years developing the dance program at Uwharrie Charter Academy. Her coaching career has resulted in a number of national awards for duets, trios and groups.

“We focus on teaching through love, meeting children where they are, at their level,” Melanie said. Some just want to have fun while a few have dreams of becoming professional dancers. “Everybody is welcome.”

Legacy Dance Connection will have adult classes as well as age groups for children. They’ll teach ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, musical theater and liturgical. 

There will also be tumbling. And the Haynes team wants to eventually offer fitness classes.

In their teaching of dance, the two hope to bring in professionals and stay on the cutting edge of the art. “We want to expose the kids to as many people as possible,” Melanie said.

She said the “legacy” in the business name refers to “carrying on the legacy in the family.” A niece of Melanie’s, Kacy Lee, will also come in occasionally to teach dance, continuing the family theme.

Meanwhile, Haygan was wed June 13 to Gabe McCue. She admitted that her new husband has no rhythm but she’ll be working on him with hope for the future.

It’s expected that renovations to the studio will be completed by the end of July, allowing the possibility for summer camps and dance intensives, or guest choreographers.

The first classes are scheduled for Aug. 24 for the fall season. Potential students can register now at www.legacydanceconnection.com. Or you can call Melanie Haynes at 336-687-3939.