About
Melissa Panetta
Canadian dancer, choreographer, and mentor. Currently in her fourth season at Stadttheater Bremerhaven.
Melissa Panetta is a Canadian dancer trained across a range of dance genres, with a strong foundation in both classical and contemporary technique.
She is currently entering her fourth season at Stadttheater Bremerhaven, Germany, under the direction of Alfonso Palencia. Her professional career spans Europe and North America, with previous engagements at Stadttheater Plauen-Zwickau (Germany), Landestheater Linz (Austria), and Thodos Dance Chicago (USA).
Throughout her career, Melissa has worked with internationally renowned choreographers including Cayetano Soto, Ihsan Rustem, Young Soon Hue, Peter Chu, and Crystal Pite, performing a diverse and dynamic repertoire.
Alongside her performing career, she has developed her own choreographic practice, exploring movement through her experience in both classical and contemporary dance. In 2025 she created w.o.M.E.N., followed by Mutation in 2026, which was featured at the International Ballet Gala at Stadttheater Bremerhaven.
Career
Companies & engagements
- Stadttheater BremerhavenGermany · Currently in her fourth season, under Alfonso Palencia.
- Stadttheater Plauen-ZwickauGermany
- Landestheater LinzAustria
- Thodos Dance ChicagoUnited States
Choreographers
Melissa has performed work by and worked directly with internationally recognized choreographers across the classical and contemporary repertoire.
- Crystal Pite
- Cayetano Soto
- Ihsan Rustem
- Young Soon Hue
- Peter Chu
Choreography
Her own work.
Alongside performing, Melissa has developed an independent choreographic practice drawing on her background in both classical and contemporary technique.
- Mutation · 2026Featured at the International Ballet Gala, Stadttheater Bremerhaven.
- w.o.M.E.N. · 2025[One or two lines from Melissa describing the work.]
Training & certification
Where the foundation was built.
2017–2019
Hubbard Street Dance Professional Program
Chicago, USA. Professional training under the direction of Alexandra Wells.
2016
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Simon Fraser University
Vancouver, Canada. Major in dance, minor in kinesiology.
Certified
Barre Fitness Instructor
Bringing a conditioning and cross-training lens to how dancers build resilience.
Certified
PN1 Nutrition Coach
Precision Nutrition Level 1 — the basis for the program’s nutrition sessions.
Mentorship
Why I mentor.
I’m deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of dancers aspiring to work professionally. Drawing from my own experience navigating international training programs, auditions, and company contracts, I offer personalized mentorship focused on artistic development, audition preparation, and understanding the realities of an ever-changing industry.
My goal is to support dancers in making confident transitions from training to professional careers.