Melanie began dancing at the age of 3 in tap, ballet and jazz. By age 9, she became part of the Dance Company at Steppin' Out Dance Studio and remained with the company through high school. With the company she competed regionally and nationally in places like Las Vegas, Boston, NYC, Mystic, and Washington, DC. When Melanie was 16 her tap solo earned high scorer at a regional competition and a won a very special award -- she performed in Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center. In 2000 she directed and choreographed a Holiday production. She has choreographed for her studio's competition team for three years and won a special award at a regional and national competition for her choreography.

Throughout the years Melanie has also been actively involved in the community through dancing. She has danced for the American Heart Association, DARE program, performed during the holidays at nursing homes, as well as elementary and middle schools throughout RI. She was a member of the URI Ramettes for four years, serving as co-captain her junior and senior year. Melanie came back to the University of Rhode Island Ramettes when she was hired as an assistant coach for the 2005-06 season.

Melanie holds a Bachelor of Science from the URI College of Nursing. She is a registered nurse at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, RI.