Melissa Bencic
Melissa is the Founder and Artistic Director of Bravo Academy where she has worked extensively for over 20 years developing innovative performing arts programs. Melissa has produced more than 200 musicals, and directed over 55 musicals and operas. She is active as a producer, performer, voice instructor, stage director, adjudicator and consultant. She has a passion for new work and is the founder of New Musical Theatre Intensives (NMTI) where she has developed and produced new Canadian musicals. Melissa was the Artistic Producer on the musicals Crack of Doom (2022) and Drama 101 (2018) which both won Patron’s Pick and played to sold out audiences at the Toronto Fringe Festival.
Melissa began her musical journey performing and studying musical theatre. She holds a Master of Music in Opera Performance from McGill University and a Bachelor of Music in Opera Performance from the University of British Columbia. Her studies and career have taken her throughout North America and Europe performing opera, operetta, oratorio, musical theatre and concert repertoire. Melissa teaches at Bravo Academy and was part of the vocal faculty at Sheridan College for 5 years. Melissa regularly works with professional artists and emerging artists interested in professional work in musical theatre. Melissa’s students have received great success in attaining recording contracts, agents and professional contracts with companies such as the Stratford Festival, Mirvish Productions and Drayton Festival.
Melissa is on the Executive Committee for the Musical Theatre Educators’ Alliance (MTEA) where she is a mentor and part of the New Works sub-group. Melissa is also a member of the National Association of Musical Theatre (NAMT), National Association of Teachers’ of Singing (NATS) and The Performing Arts Alliance (TAPA).