Melissa has been actively involved in all areas of the performing arts since early childhood. Her formal speech and drama training commenced in her early teens under the tutorage of Pamela Greatorix, resulting in her ATCL Associate Diploma (Trinity College, London),  AMEB Associate Diploma (Australian Music Examination Board) and GSMD Diploma in Solo Acting (Guildhall School of Music and Drama).  From there Melissa went on to Griffith University, graduating with a Bachelor of Education, majoring in Drama and English.

At age seventeen, Melissa coached senior school students in debating and public speaking and taught co-curricular speech and drama to primary students.  Having graduated from University, Melissa went on to teach in both the State and Independent sector of education. In 2003 Melissa left teaching to form her own business, Let's Talk Kids, a speech and drama program incorporating various genres of the performing arts that assist children in building confidence, self-esteem and strong communication skills.