Melissa Williams is a renowned director/choreographer in the entertainment industry, recognized for her innovative and expert consultation services in casting, production, dance choreography, musical staging, movement consultation, and creative direction. With a distinctive ability to work with diverse talent, including dancers, non-dancers, singers, actors, recording artists, athletes, and models, Melissa has an impressive track record of delivering high-quality work.
Born in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada, Melissa began her journey in the industry at the age of 16, competing in the popular talent show Star Search as the hip hop/adage duo Johnnie & Melissa. This experience led to her relocation to Los Angeles at 19, where she was hired by Prince to dance in his late-night cabaret Erotic City at his nightclub Glam Slam.
Melissa's talent and dedication quickly earned her recognition from top choreographers and Prince himself, leading to performances on several awards shows and appearances, including Prince's tribute performance on The American Music Awards. Simultaneously, she landed her first feature film, Showgirls, and was requested by director Paul Verhoven to read for a role.
Melissa's extensive career includes choreographing Prince's three-act dance concert tour, Around The World In A Day, and directing and choreographing California Dream Men, a male revue that premiered at Les Folies Bergere in Paris and went on to become a huge success in France, Germany, and Italy. She has also choreographed and musically staged numerous productions, including Grease-the musical and Hair-the musical, European tours.
In addition to her work in film and television, Melissa has been involved in various projects, including writing, directing, and choreographing original shows and industrials for cruise ships and casinos. She has also founded Extreme Dance Conventions and Competitions, a dance workshop tour featuring top choreographers and teachers in the industry.
Most recently, Melissa has been a choreographer on seasons 1 & 2 of the hit series Bomb Girls, an associate choreographer on Britney Spears' Femme Fatale Tour, and a guest judge and choreographer on seasons 1 through 4 of So You Think You Can Dance Canada. She has also directed local and regional productions, including A Chorus Line, Grease, and Jaques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.
With her finger on the pulse of the industry, Melissa continues to push the boundaries of her creativity, looking forward to further defining her work on the Broadway stage, in television production, with new artists, and in feature films.
