Melissa has been studying dance since the age of four and is currently celebrating her 23rd year with Deborah’s Dance Workshop. She has competed in many regional dance competitions and won numerous awards.

While working on her B.S. degree in Occupational Therapy at Bay Path College, Melissa auditioned for a part in the Bay Path College Dance Company. During her four years as a company member, she performed throughout Western Massachussets in numerous dance & caberet performances. She studied and took classes in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Modern, Musical Theater and Therapeutic Fitness. Melissa has an extensive knowledge base in anatomy, physiology & kinesiology.

Melissa has taken many Master classes in Jazz with Sue Samuels, Jeff Shade, Bill Hotaling, Frank Hatchett, Bob Rizzo and Steve Sirico. She completed a Master Hip Hop class with Musa Cooper from TV's, "So You Think You Can Dance."

In 2003 and 2004, Melissa attended the "Go Dance" conference in Rocky Hill, CT. Melissa has also attended the Dance Teacher Magazine/Dance Teacher Summit, "For Teacher's Only" Conference in NYC for the past 6 years. Here, she has studied with Deborah Vogel, Cathy Roe, David Howard, Denise Jefferson, Greg Russell, Daniel Lewis, Rhonda Miller, Finis Jhung and Mari Winsor while taking classes in Ballet, Lyrical, Modern, Yoga, Pilates, Jazz, Injury Prevention and other dance related topics.
In 2007, Melissa attended “The Pulse Teacher Workshop” in NYC studying with dance greats such as Mia Michaels, Sheila Barker, Tracie Stanfield, Jeff Amsden and Dorit Koppel. This same year, Melissa became certified as a “Yoga for Athletes” instructor through the International Weightlifting Association.

By day, Melissa works as a Neurobehavioral Occupational Therapist at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, CT. Melissa graduated from the University of Connecticut in May of 2008 with her Master's Degree in Political Social Work. She is an independent social advocate for various behavioral health and women’s issues.