Melissa Bartrem is a dance artist, educator, and scholar from Toronto. Melissa’s international credits include stage appearances in Brazil with the Tihany Spectacular, South America’s largest Circus, Showtime! with Casino Figueria Da Foz, Portugal, and on the high seas with Princess Cruises. Her countless appearances in live events include performances as a Toronto Argonauts cheerleader, Brazilian Carnival Samba Dancer, Divas Las Vegas Live at Casino Rama to industrials representing brands and companies such as Red Bull and the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation. Melissa continues to appear in principal roles in film, television, and commercials.
Melissa is a doctoral candidate in Dance Education at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. Her research interests include holistic, student-centred learning and other pedagogical practices that promote inclusion in dance spaces. Melissa is currently on faculty at The University of Toronto, Centennial College, and The Royal Academy of Dance, where she teaches Dance, Movement Studies, and Teacher Education. Melissa has collaborated and taught for international arts organizations in England, South Africa, and China, in addition to presenting her in-practice research at arts and education conferences, including the World Conference in Dance Research in Athens, Greece, Dance Science and Somatics Educators conference and the Canadian Association of Theatre Research. Melissa holds a B.A. (hons.) in Theatre Arts from The University of Toronto and an M.A. in Dance Education accredited through the University of Surrey, England. Melissa holds a variety of professional dance teaching certifications and is in demand as a competitive dance adjudicator and choreographer.
