Melissa was born in Greenwich, CT, grew up in NJ and spent a portion of her youth living in Lima, Peru. Her father is Peruvian, and she has German, Cuban and Ukrainian heritage. She studied abroad at The American Business School in Paris, and graduated from Pace University in New York with a Degree in International Marketing. While abroad, Melissa studied acting at Film Acting Paris and currently studies in New York with renowned acting coach Harold Guskin and in LA with the equally renowned Gary Marks. She has also studied at Margie Haber's studio in their intensive advanced course.
Melissa had her acting debut in the movies of the week, The Saint and Grace of God and her feature film debut in the summer of 2015 with the theatrical release of In Stereo, in which she played the support female lead. Her other film roles include Shark Lake, I am Wrath (starring John Travolta), The Neighbor, Snipped in the Bud, I'll be Home for Christmas, The Institute (starring James Franc0), and Dog Eat Dog in which she acts opposite Nicolas Cage. Films featuring Melissa and due for release in 2017 include Billy Boy, Frat Pack, The Year of Spectacular Men, Mara, The Super, Malicious, and the highly anticipated Hurricane Heist, directed by Rob Cohen.