Cody Melin Legacy of Dance Tribute Video
For over 25 years the Calgary Dance Stampede has supported Calgary’s amateur dancers in their endeavors to reach the World Championships or the WCLDSF Games and this year we have set up a perpetual scholarship in memory of Mr. Cody Charles Melin (1974-2012).
Cody was born on April 26, 1974 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Like many and with a strong family influence he started into the rodeo circuit but at the age of 12 turned his attention to dance and joined the Zirka Ukrainian Dance Troup. Later at the age of 16 he won the Western Canada Junior Ballroom Championship and then at the age of 17 he won his first UCWDC World Championship title in Division II.
This was just the start of one of the most memorable careers in Canadian Dance History. Cody with his then partner Reisa Henderson went on to win over 30 Country Dance Championships and that's just scratching the surface. Before his passing on September 20, 2012 Cody mastered over 30 dances and gained championship titles in Country, Ballroom, Cabaret, Theatre Arts, Mambo/Salsa, West Coast Swing, Break Dance/Pop & Lock, Hip Hop & Funky, Argentine Tango, Line Dance and Hustle. He was also featured in film and on stage in New York throughout his career.
With all of this, Cody's roots stayed true to two things; Country Dance and Teaching. Above all of Cody's vast accomplishments he valued the ability to teach and share his passion for dance with others and he took great pride in all of his students sometimes teaching them in parking garages when they had no money for lessons and hall rental.
At the Campfire Ball Showcase on Saturday night (April 1, 2017) this presentation highlighting Cody’s life, his accomplishments and his passions was presented for the first time. Later that night Cody’s mom Velen Johnson presented the first annual Cody Melin Legacy of Dance Memorial masters award in the UCWDC Classic Masters Division as well as the Cody Melin Excellence in Dance Scholarship to both the overall Top Male and Top Female ProAm students for the weekend. These are awards that will take place not only for this year, but for all future years at the Calgary Dance Stampede.
Thank you to Suzie Pennington who helped tremendously gathering support and items for the Silent Auction as well as Toby Munroe who created this video in honor of Cody.