Melissa grew up in Northfield, NH and has danced throughout her lifetime with a particular love for tap dancing. She danced competitively with Creative Steps School of Dance and was also a member of New England Tap Company (now called Speaking in Taps) led by Aaron Tolson. 

She attended Northeastern University, and has undergraduate degrees in behavioral neuroscience and nursing and a masters in nursing. She currently works as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. 

During her time at Northeastern, she was a member of Northeastern University Dance Company dancing in tap, irish hard shoe, and hip-hop pieces. She was a choreographer for multiple showcases, and served as a member of the executive board. She is excited to put her choreographer hat back on and choreograph for the first time with DanceWorks Boston!