Melissa Panetta

(Photos by Johnny Nevin)

Originally from Montreal, Canada, Melissa Panetta is a professional dancer trained in all disciplines of dance. In May 2016, Melissa graduated from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours with Distinction) majoring in dance and minoring in kinesiology. She is currently training at the Hubbard Street Professional Training Program in Chicago, Illinois.

Melissa got the opportunity to perform with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in a piece choreographed by Peter Chu. Prior to joining the Hubbard Street Professional Training Program, Melissa danced with the professional company Thodos Dance Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. During her debut season at Thodos Dance Chicago, Melissa had the opportunity to perform the principal role of Helen Keller in Thodos’ original story ballet A Light in the Dark – the story of Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller. She also performed Brian Eno’s Acid Reign, Shannon Alvis’ Sunrise, and the remount of Bella Lewitzky’s Nos Duraturi. Prior to Thodos Dance Chicago, Melissa danced professionally with a Vancouver based company entitled DezzaDance, where she worked closely with artistic director Desiree Dunbar performing in multiple repertoire shows.

In addition, Melissa is an accomplished choreographer and teaching instructor throughout Canada. Receiving distinction in her R.A.D. Advanced 1 ballet exam, Melissa has taught dancers ages two to twelve in ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary. Melissa has also choreographed in many main-stage shows and in dance competitions across Ontario. Melissa is a dedicated emerging artist who hopes to share her passion of dance with the world.