MELISSA BERMAN
MELISSA BERMAN brings over 25 years of experience as an innovative, critically-acclaimed award-winning teaching artist and performer in theatre, dance and music. Ms. Berman holds a BFA (honors) in Dramatic Art and Speech and Graduate Work in Educational Theatre from Virginia Commonwealth University. Melissa’s diverse background focuses on students ages 2- 1/2 years to Adult including a strong emphasis with the at-risk, underserved and special needs populations.
Melissa Berman has worked as a teaching artist with City Hearts: Kids Say Yes to the Arts, a non-profit organization serving the at-risk community throughout Los Angeles and extended regions. Ms. Berman served as teaching artist for many years with the celebrated Children’s Arts Institute at the Children’s Community School and the Westland School. Other credits include Theatre of Hearts “Meet the Artists”; Guest Teaching Artist at Immaculate Heart School; Bethune Theatredanse/Infinite Dreams in Los Angeles, Orange County and Pasadena; The Pilgrim School; Los Angeles High School; Echo Horizon School; L.A.’s Best ASAP Resident Arts Program; Wilshire Private School; and the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. Melissa has been featured with her students and in workshops for the Very Special Arts Festival in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, and she was Performing Arts Specialist In-Residence for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D. C.
Melissa Berman for many years was with the Hollywood Arts Council’s Project SOAR for at-risk Hollywood LAUSD youth including workshops and performances. Ms. Berman’s Project SOAR students were featured at various Charlie Awards at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, and Melissa was the Performing Emcee for the Hollywood Arts Council’s annual Children’s Festival of the Arts at Paramount Studios.
As a headlining performer and accomplished musician and arranger, Melissa Berman has been seen at various noted venues including The Center Theatre and The Roxbury in Los Angeles; Don’t Tell Mama and Katie O’Toole’s in New York City; and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The National Theatre, Wolftrap and Blues Alley in Washington, D. C. Ms. Berman has an extensive background in film, television, commercials and radio which includes national performing credits. Melissa Berman has worked with such distinguished directors as James L. Brooks and Barry Levinson, and she has been featured with NPR and the BBC.
Member of SAG-AFTRA.
