Melissa is a Bay Area-born Latina performer, educator, and theater professional. She holds an MM in Opera & Music Theater Performance from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and a BM in voice and a BA in Spanish from San Diego State University. She participated in the LAByrinth Theater Company’s intensive ensemble in New York where she studied with Philip Seymour Hoffman (among others), and completed an in-depth teacher training course with Sheri Sanders, creator of Rock the Audition, in pop/rock musical theater audition techniques. Before joining Berkeley Playhouse Melissa performed all over the country in theaters such as Sight & Sound Theatres, Legends in Concert, and Opera Lancaster. She is excited to contribute to the community that she understands and craves to support.