- Ballerina with the New York City Ballet (1949-1973).
- Started her career dancing with the Canadian Ballet before becoming a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet from 1955 to 1973.
- Directed by George Balanchine in such productions as "Agon," "The Figure in the Carpet" and "La Source" during her heyday.
- Was Claire Bloom's dancing double in Chaplin's classic film Limelight (1952).
- Appeared on TV in the original production of "Amahl and the Night Visitors" (1951), and in a 1964 German-American production of "The Nutcracker" which had its U.S. premiere in 1965.
- Following her 1973 retirement, she taught at the North Carolina School of the Arts for over 20 years, and authored the books "Melissa Hayden: Offstage" and "Ballet Exercises.".
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