Hayden << HAYD uhn >>, Melissa (1923-2006), was a Canadian-born ballerina. She gained international fame as a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet under its artistic director, George Balanchine. He created several ballets for Hayden, including Agon (1957) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1962).
Hayden was born on April 25, 1923, in Toronto. Her real name was Mildred Herman. Hayden danced with the New York City Ballet from 1950 until she retired in 1973. She also performed with the Ballet Theatre (now the American Ballet Theatre) from 1945 to 1947 and in 1953 and 1954. After her retirement, she became a ballet teacher, director, and coach. She wrote two books: Melissa Hayden, Off Stage and On (1963) and Dancer to Dancer: Advice for Today’s Dancer (1981). Hayden died on Aug. 9, 2006.
