A native of Sydney Australia, Melissa studied at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, Sydney, before moving to the States to recieve her B.F.A in Dance Performance from New World School of the Arts College under Dean Daniel Lewis. Performing works by Jose Limon, Jennifer Muller, Robert Battle, Merce Cunningham, Geri Houlihan, Fred Bratcher and new works by Michael Uthoff and Peter London. In Miami she danced for Freddick Bratcher & Co. and was a founding member of the Michael Uthoff DanceTheatre. Melissa has studied on scholarship at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, Merce Cunningham Studio and Jacob's Pillow. In addition to dancing with Miro, Melissa dances with R.U.G- (Merce) Cunningham Repertory Understudy Group, and has performed with Pam Tanowitz Dance.