Melissa began dancing at nine years old in Auckland, New Zealand, where she trained in jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, and contemporary. She completed both JDNZ and BAL dance exams through the advanced levels, and throughout her teen years she competed in solo and group competitions across the country.
In 2016, Melissa moved to Vancouver, Canada, where she continued her training in ballet and jazz at The Ballet Lounge. She has since expanded her training across the United States, taking classes in cities such as Kansas City and New York City.
Melissa joined Kirkland Dance Center in 2018, later becoming both an adult and youth instructor, a member of the KDC Board of Directors, and most recently serving as the Studio Director until the studio closed at the end of 2025.
She is deeply passionate about bringing high‑quality dance education and technique to students of all ages and fostering a welcoming environment where dancers can grow, express themselves, and thrive.
