Mia Michaels

Mia Michaels Melchiona, born on February 22, 1966, in Coconut Grove, Miami, grew up in a family immersed in dance. Her father, Joe Michaels, provided her early training in jazz, tap, and ballet at the Miami Dance Center from the age of three. Her sister, Dana Michaels, introduced her to contemporary dance. Michaels furthered her education by attending summer sessions at Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan and Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, Massachusetts. This foundational training and exposure laid the groundwork for her extensive career in choreography.

Michaels became a recognized figure in the dance industry through her involvement as a judge and contributing choreographer on the FOX television show, “So You Think You Can Dance.” Her work on the show earned her three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Choreography in 2007, 2010, and 2011. Beyond television, Michaels has a significant portfolio in concert and stage productions. She founded, was artistic director, and choreographer for her dance company, RAW (Reality at Work), which began in 1997. Her stage work includes choreography for Celine Dion’s “A New Day…” at Caesars’ Palace in Las Vegas, under the direction of Franco Dragone, and Cirque du Soleil’s world tour “Delirium,” which premiered in 2006. These projects showcased her ability to create large-scale, impactful dance spectacles.

Her career also features collaborations with high-profile music artists such as Madonna, Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, and Prince. In film and television, her choreography has been featured in “Cool Women” for AMC/DreamWorks Television, commercials for brands like Mike’s Hard Lemonade and Bacardi, and the dance film “Step Up Revolution,” where she also played the character Olivia. From 2012, Michaels choreographed for the film “Rock of Ages.” In 2015, she provided choreography for the Broadway musical “Finding Neverland,” and in 2016, for the “New York Christmas Spectacular” starring the Rockettes. Her professional journey highlights a consistent track record of achievements across diverse platforms.