Melissa started her dance training at the age of 2 under the direction of her Mom, Carol Jackson. She started her professional career at the age of 16 as a performer at Bush Garden's in Williamsburg, VA in the Das Festhaus show. During her junior and senior year of high school she was accepted into the Broadway Dance Center training program in New York City. After graduation she started her first of many contracts with the Peter Grey Terhune productions working on numerous cruise ships sailing the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Europe. Upon completing her final cruise contract in 2001 Melissa came back home to The Dance Connection where she became the Artistic Director of the competition team. In 2005 Melissa was named co-owner of The Dance Connection with her mom Carol. Melissa assumed full ownership of The Dance Connection in 2012. Her additional performance credits include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and Walt Disney World's Kid's of the Kingdom show. Melissa is certified through the Cecchetti Council of America as a Grade I and II Cecchetti instructor.
