Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Sharee.
Hi Melissa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Began modeling for Nordstroms at four years old doing print work and runway. Music and Dance came next. Around the same age, I was performing in local dance recitals and a year of two later, I won a contest for a song I wrote about Martin Luther King Jr – which gave me the opportunity to perform at SeaFair in front of thousands with The Main Attraction music group. I became heavily active in the theatre scene. Performing on stage at the historic Meany Hall, traveling around the county with an original concept troupe spreading awareness about the importance of wearing a safety belt and a list of other cool theatre shows. I was equally as active singing! Music started for me in the church choir at Mt Zion Baptist Church. I loved the choir and joined several in addition to singing with my church choir; The Northwest Girls Choir, Total Experience Gospel Choir and more.
Eventually, I found myself in front of the camera performing for the screen. My first after school special was filmed in Seattle and produced by the Seattle Committee for Children – called Yes You Can Say No. I then landed a spot as a youth reporter for King 5’s weekly news show for kids FLASH. The summer after finishing 6th grade, I went to Los Angeles for the summer and enrolled in a summer workshop with Weist Barron Hill Acting for Television. I juggled my time that summer between acting classes and Tennis/Swimming lessons at Dorsey High School in South LA. At the conclusion of the summer Cunningham Escott and Dipene wanted to represent me in Television/Film – so I signed with the agency and my mom relocated my brother and I to California right as I turned 13. I continued to sing, dance and act in LA. The 90’s brought a rise of young female girls groups and I joined a few. However, Baby Doll had the most success booking work. We secured Saturday Rocks with CBS and could be heard every week during the cartoon window. We also made a cameo appearance in Mac n Me. The amount of work we did made it possible for me to gain access into Aftra and the Screen Actors Guild. I was accepted into The Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and graduated from the Music/Vocal department.
After graduating from high school, I decided to go to upstate New York and study Political Science. At Syracuse University, I obtained my undergraduate degree and continued to focus on music, dance and theatre on campus and in the larger Syracuse community. As a known featured vocalist, I was asked to perform at the Syracuse International Airport Rededication Ceremony, Governors Luncheon and a host of other noteworthy events. Community Development became another passion working for the United Way of Central New York and a special teenage pregnancy prevention program with the Onondaga County Health Department. After several years of blizzard snow, California sunshine was calling and I returned to the West Coast. I continued to pursue making an impact in the community writing and directing my original stage play VOICES through a grant project with Barrios Unidos. Voices was unveiled at the historic Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theatre in Fresno. My service to the community brought me back to Los Angles with a youth college access program servicing Crenshaw and Locke High Schools. This was an interesting time for me as I was eager to do more as a performer and also have an influential reach beyond the stage.
I was moved to start my own nonprofit organization CREATIVE M PROJECTS as a labor of love to help young artists in need of direction find their way by becoming emotionally, mentally and spiritually stronger. I moved more towards theatre and continued to find my own voice as a singer/songwriter releasing a few original songs on all platforms where music can be streamed; Pearls, Somebody Else, and Be Alright. I put together my band Love n Life and had an intimate acoustic night at the famous Viper Room on Sunset Blvd. While I have continued to perform and travel doing music, my priority has shifted building a community of artists that will change the world in the most positive ways through CREATIVE M PROJECTS. During the 2020 Pandemic CMP hosted a painting and meditation event Courage from Chaos. We are committed to developing the artists in our Artist Network by matching them with mentors and providing care packages and other services. This year we are piloting a new program that provides a unique overnight experience for artists. My heart is set on establishing Creative M Projects for future generations of artists and I look forward to having more time to create and perform personal artist projects such as a planned full album and theatrical experience.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s been Rocky Road Smooth like ice cream. Lol. Lots of bits and pieces to chew on along the way. Most of my struggles have come from poor decision-making and not being able to see clearly. I have always been an emotional girl – emotions have a way of affecting our ability to think clearly and can undermine the reality of what is really going on when we allow them to overtake us. As far back as I can remember, my mom always told me “you are your own limitation” – she wasn’t saying that to me personally, it was more of a blanket statement for all of us as individuals – yet it has proven to be true. Lack of trust and belief in myself has been a challenge for me to overcome so many times along the way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am most proud of the fact that I have not quit of given up on my desire to help young artists. Creative M Projects was incorporated in 2014 and it has not been easy building the organization from the ground up with just a small number of special volunteers and friends who believe in the vision to have young artists in communities worldwide celebrated for their leadership because we have fostered and facilitated unique opportunities for them to grow. The fact that I started this organization with no money of my own, without initial substantial financial support and have continued to pour part-time money into this movement (as often the sole contributor) makes me proud.
What sets me apart as a Creative Artist is that I am 100 percent hands on building something greater than myself through my organization as a full time volunteer. It’s so interesting how we become inspired deeply by people without realizing it, because as an undergrad in New York there was a woman who volunteered at Hendrick’s chapel giving her all – connecting students with the greater community beyond the campus walls. She would repeatedly say it was her “labor of love”. Creative M Projects is my personal labor of love. I am an artist with a vision to lift up other artists as they influence the world for good. It’s pretty special to live out your labor of love in hopes of gaining more for others than yourself.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My mother – for always believing in me, allowing me to be myself, taking advantage of every opportunity and teaching me how to perform on the spot in front of anyone.
My husband – for supporting me 100, pushing me to level up, letting me be a free spirit & putting up with a house full of creative stuff in every corner.
Too many amazing people have been instrumental in my journey of becoming who I am up to this point in life. Some have names and some are nameless… there are honestly too many to list and shout out that played a role.
For everything unexplainable and explainable, God has been and always will be my source and truly deserves ALL credit!!!!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
- Website: creativemprojects.org / melissasharee.com
- Instagram: @melissasharee
