Now based in downtown Washington, D.C., Melissa grew up in Michigan, where her mother and family would always joke that you couldn’t put any kind of paper or stationary out in plain sight and not, shortly after, find her writing aesthetically-pleasing or fancy-looking words all over it or doodling random cursive words on it with a pen or marker. Previously having always had an interest in calligraphy for as long as she could remember, Melissa purchased some new brush lettering supplies and started teaching herself the proper way to write in true brush lettering through online resources and YouTube videos in 2018, playing around with growing and perfecting that skill ever since and eventually expanding to modern dip pen calligraphy and hand-lettering styles.

Years later, Melissa attended a “modern brush lettering & calligraphy” Sip & Script class for the fun of it with a friend before moving to Maryland (and now D.C.), where she came across a email announcing that Sip & Script was looking to expand their instructor “Script Squad” there and immediately knew she had to get involved and start sharing her love of calligraphy with others.

When she’s not playing around with calligraphy/hand-lettering or sharing the mindful, creative practice of it through teaching others, she loves spending her free time exploring new places and cities, discovering unique restaurants and nearby festivals or farmers markets, finding peaceful walking paths and areas to walk their dog, and spending time relaxing with her significant other and “fur child.” Alongside calligraphy, Melissa is also an avid coffee lover, often experimenting with different types and brewing methods at home, and enjoys indulging in her skincare “self-care time” and geeking out over all things interior decorating/design.

Whether you’re looking for a new hobby or just a fun way to spend an evening with friends or meet new ones (whether you think you’re artistically-inclined or not—PS. You don’t have to be!), she can’t wait to share her stress-relieving creative outlet with you as you sip on your drink of choice in fun, relaxed local venues!