Melissa is from Vestal, New York, where she has been dancing since age 4. At 14, she began training with Rafael Grigorian at the Rafael Grigorian School of Classical Ballet. She has attended summer programs at the NYSSSA School of Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Kaatsbaan Extreme Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, the Chautauqua Institution and Balletmet. In 2014, Melissa graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet, an Outside Field in Applied Health Science, and a Minor in Psychology. While at IU, Melissa had the opportunity to train under Michael Vernon and Violette Verdy, and danced soloist and principal roles in works by Marius Petipa, Michael Vernon, Peter Martins, Martha Graham, Augustus Bournonville, Nicolo Fonte, and George Balanchine.

After graduation, Melissa danced with the Colorado Ballet Studio Company for two seasons, under the direction of Gil Boggs. She has performed with the main company in works by Christopher Wheeldon, Martin Fredmann, Augustus Bournonville, and Septime Webre. Since joining Avant Chamber Ballet, Melissa has originated principal roles in ballets by Katie Puder, Fernanda Oliviera, and Madi Hicks. Melissa has also had the opportunity to dance in featured roles in George Balanchine’s Who Cares?, and Raymonda Variations, and Paul Mejia’s The Nutcracker and Serenade in A. This will be Melissa's seventh year with Avant Chamber Ballet.