Melissa began her dance training at the age of three under the direction of Sherry Gilbert. She is classically trained in the Vaganova, Cecchetti, and Balanchine methods. During her early years of training, Melissa performed in The Nutcracker in a variety of roles, developing a strong foundation in classical ballet and performance.

After moving to Idaho, Melissa continued her ballet education with Eagle Performing Arts Center and Ballet Idaho. She performed with the Ballet Ensemble and had the opportunity to dance the role of Clara in The Nutcracker, while also learning from accomplished ballet educators including Seth Orza, Miranda Weese, and many others.

In addition to her classical ballet training, Melissa has studied and performed in a variety of dance genres. She continued her dance education at Boise State University under the direction of Marla Hansen.

Melissa has been teaching dance for 16 years across multiple genres and studios. She is passionate about helping dancers grow both technically and artistically while fostering a genuine love for dance. She is currently a member of Explore Dance Company, where she continues to perform, learn, and grow as an artist.