Melissa grew up in the St. Louis metropolitan area and various towns in
Oklahoma. Her family settled in Springfield, Missouri during her years
in high school. She attended Southwest Missouri State University
(Missouri State University), earning various performance scholarships
and awards during her BFA studies. After marrying her high school
sweetheart, John, they lived for a stint in Winter Park, FL and San
Francisco before landing in Los Angeles.
In addition to acting, Melissa has co-produced John's ambient
electronic CDs Immersion and 4 at 18 (aired on Hearts of Space, other
programs both domestic and international and currently available via
CDbaby and other on-line distributors), designed award-winning graphics
for print materials and DVD menus (including titles for BBC and
Franchise Pictures) and is currently involved as a producer, director
and writer on various independent projects. In addition, she is
studying professional fine art and commercial
photography.