Melissa was born in San Francisco, California, and spent her formative years in Southern California and Arizona, attending Chaparral High School and later Indiana University, where she earned a degree in psychology.
Growing up, Melissa had a passion for acting, and after completing her education, she began formal training and auditioning for various roles. Her dedication and hard work soon paid off, as she started to land parts in film, web, and commercial projects.
Some of Melissa's notable credits include her appearance in the popular film "Instructions Not Included" (2013) and the web-series "The ABC's of Online Dating" (2012-2013). In 2015, she received a nomination for Best Actress at the IndieCapitol Awards for her role as "Annie" in the short film "As Is," which was also recognized as runner-up for Best Film at DC's 48 Hr Film Project and tied for Best Ensemble Cast.
In addition to her acting career, Melissa has also made appearances in commercials and print work for various brands, including Baby Jogger, Navy Mutual, Chicco, and PetSmart. She has also lent her voice to Maryland's 529 college plan and hosted Audi of America's monthly internal news show, Audi Progress, for over three years until 2016.
Melissa is married to saxophonist Steven Temme, and together they have two little girls and a baby boy who bring immense joy and laughter to their lives.
