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 has been a teaching artist with the Los Angeles Arts Group serving the at-risk
community for the Mountain View School District in El Monte. Ms. Berman worked as a
teaching artist with City Hearts: Kids Say Yes to the Arts, a non-profit organization serving the
at-risk communities throughout Los Angeles and extended regions; and she was a teaching
artist with the celebrated Children’s Arts Institute at the Children’s Community School and the
Westland School. Melissa Berman worked with Bethune Theatredanse/Infinite Dreams serving
the at-risk special needs communities in Los Angeles, Orange County and Pasadena; as well as
Los Angeles High School; Wilshire Private School; and the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum.
Melissa Berman waswith 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.
Melissa Berman 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.

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.