Melissa Pastrana, Director/Producer, Actor, Dancer/Choreographer, published Model, and American Ninja Warror enthusiast was born in New York City of Cuban-American parents, moving to Miami Beach as a young child beginning an artistic career performing in local events. Within a few years, she had already appeared in six Star- Styled Dancewear Magazines as a professional child model with former Pussy Cat Doll, Jessica Sutta and had been invited to appear in TV shows such as Sabado Gigante on Univision Network and Star Search. She performed with Walt Disney Productions and had begun her artistic journey receiving her earliest ballet training under artistic directors, Tony Catanzaro and Lizette Piedra of Ballet Academy of Miami.Shortly thereafter, Pastrana received a full scholarship in the filming program with global acclaimed New York Film Academy South Beach under the direction of Peabody and 2 time Emmy Winner Miguel Parga. During her undergraduate she was also given a full scholarship to train with the world-renowned Miami City Ballet School for five years under the directions of Emmy Award Winner, Edward Villella and professional instructors Nancy Raffa, Jimmy Gamonet and Violette Verdi. In 1996, while performing at the Belvoir Terrace Summer Arts Program, Melissa was Favorited by four-time Tony Award Winner, Jerry Zak for her musical theater and acting appeal.Pastrana continued her professional training at the New World School of the Arts/University of Florida in Musical Theater and Dance/Choreography where she received a BFA degree and became a professional performing artist mastering Vaganova and Neo-classical ballet styles, Jose Limon and Martha Graham modern techniques, Afro-Caribbean, Jazz Funk, Ballroom dancing and Hip-Hop dance styles, to name a few. Pastrana was selected for "The Search for the Next Pussy Cat Doll" music group through the final cuts and performed for the Television judges on "So You Think You Can Dance." During her college years, she was awarded the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Award for her exceptional community service work with underprivileged children.Beginning in 2004, Pastrana performed with the Florida Grand Opera where she appeared as the principal dancer in Samson Et Dalila, and was casted as actor/dancer in Turandot, Aida, Manon Lescaut, and La Traviata. While continuing her current choreographic and dance career of 20 years, Pastrana continues to teach and choreograph for fitness and dance special events and community-based projects in South Florida.Melissa has appeared in three seasons of EstrellaTV, "Mi Sueño Es Bailar", Spanish-language Television Network (with a similar format to "Dancing with the Stars") based out of Los Angeles, California where she was the Performer/Dance Partner/Instructor for international celebrities. Pastrana succeeded in turning her Latin celebrity, comedian, actor/singer partner "Don Cheto" into a winner becoming Champions of the First Season of "Mi Sueño Es Bailar" by 4 Million fans votes.Melissa Pastrana has appeared in numerous magazines and newspaper interviews and publications such as People Magazine, LA Times, Wedding Style Magazine Germany, Huffington Post, Periodico USA, Danza Hoy, El Reportero Las Vegas, Variedades, Excelsior OC, Yahoo News, Noticias 62, Estrellas Hoy, En Vivo, WROM Radio, Diario de el Paso, El Impacial, Lawndale News, Brigitte Magazine Germany, San Antonio Newspaper, El Reportero Nacional, Vida en el Valle, Que Buena Radio, Quinceañera Magazine, among others, where she shares her behind-the-scene experiences with the TV productions, her celebrities and fans, gives instructional tips on dancing and choreographing, and encourages all audiences alike to embrace dance and fitness into their everyday lifestyles.Among her other accolades, Pastrana as an athlete inspires many people to change lives and motivating followers everywhere as she encourages healthy living. Pastrana was a competitor for the preliminary competition for American Ninja Warrior and developed a web-based fitness and dance program for all ages. Pastrana will be returning to California to continue training intensively in Acting for Film at the New York Film Academy meanwhile collaborating with Miami-based film directors for upcoming feature film projects. She supports the visual and theater arts in South Florida attending and sponsoring events by local artists including Art Basel, Miami City Ballet, and Actor's Playhouse on Miracle Mile. As an avid animal lover, Pastrana was asked to be a speaker for the largest Women's Economic Forum in India. She is a supporter Womens Rights such as One Billion in Rising, animals such as the Humane Society of Greater Miami and has found a happy home for many stray animals over the years.Melissa Pastrana's first psychological horror thriller film "The Juggler" started production (2016) at New York Film Academy South Beach. Show less «