ON SITE ONLY (NO ZOOM FOR SUMMER). Led by Melissa Sallée with Rev. Tricia. Melissa, a classically trained and professional ballerina who studied with Maria Tallchief, Salt Creek Ballet, and Ballet Chicago, was the Co-Director of Dance Detour, the first integrated, professional dance company in Chicago. We shared our offering with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) VT for our “5th Sunday” which was presented by our sexton Keith Rickerby. See service details here: OOS 6.30.24
Bio: Melissa Sallée, a classically trained and professional ballerina who studied with Maria Tallchief, Salt Creek Ballet, and Ballet Chicago, was the Co-Director of Dance Detour, the first integrated, professional dance company in Chicago.
Sallée was a founding member of ReinventAbility, a nonprofit where she used movement to benefit newly disabled veterans. Additionally, Sallée has served those with severe physical disabilities, eating disorders, TBIs, and those suffering from PTSD using trauma-informed embodiment modalities. Currently, she uses expressive visual arts in her placement as Artist-in-Residence at four therapeutic schools in northern Vermont.
Sallée is sought after for creating professional artistic works for dancers with varying abilities. In addition to her over 30 years working in the creative sector, Sallée is a longtime fierce and loyal advocate who has worked closely with the Congressional Arts Caucus and as an Illinois Delegate. Sallée continues to serve on regional and municipal task forces and with think tanks to improve Universal Access, Disability Rights, and access to the arts, most recently with Boston Dance Alliance’s Dance & Disability Cohort and international nonprofit, United Dance.