From Dromore to the Royal Ballet stage

And after many years of hard work, that dream became a reality when she joined the world renowned Royal Ballet at the age of 18.

Melissa began dancing at the Jennifer Bullick School of Ballet at the age of four but then it was just a hobby. She stayed in Northern Ireland for her GCEs at Banbridge Academy before taking up a prestigious scholarship at the age of 16 at Elmhurst School of Dance in Birmingham. “Most dancers join the Junior School at 11 and dance every day,” explained Melissa. “That is what is expected for a dancer. So when I joined at 16 I was incredibly far behind in comparison with everyone else.”