B.A. Theatre University of Tennessee

M.F.A. Acting University of Georgia

A Tennessee native now living in Asheville, Melissa joined the faculty of ASU as an adjunct professor in 2004 teaching both Intro to Theatre and Intro to Acting. Prior to moving to NC she lived in New York City, where she appeared in over 25 Off and Off-Off Broadway productions. Melissa also has worked in numerous tv programs, commercials, voiceovers, and industrials, and has performed across the country in touring shows and with such noted regional theatres as the Barter Theatre, Arkansas Rep, Atlanta's Shakespeare Tavern, Academy Theatre and Horizon Theatre. Favorite roles she has performed are Kate in The Taming of the Shrew, Irene Molloy in Hello, Dolly! and Mary Middleton in Barry Manilow's musical, The Drunkard.

Melissa is an active member of Actor's Equity Association and the Screen Actor's Guild.

Look for Melissa in the role of Ruth in the feature film The Work and the Glory: A House Divided directed by Academy Award® winner Sterling van Wagenen.

Favorite activities are tennis, badminton, hiking, and mountain biking.