PERFORMER
PRODUCER
FILMMAKER
CHOREOGRAPHER
DIRECTOR
COORDINATOR
GRANT WRITER
FUNDRAISING ADVISOR
EVENT MANAGER
Melissa Heywood is an Edinburgh-based freelance portfolio worker known for her versatility and creativity ingenuity. Weaving together her diverse skills, Melissa navigates the arts, charity and wellbeing landscapes with adaptability and innovation.​
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Melissa trained in London at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, where she attained a first-class BA(Hons) in Contemporary Dance. Subsequently, in Edinburgh, she achieved a HND in Musical Theatre Performance with distinction from The MGA Academy of Performing Arts. In 2022/23 Melissa became a member of Dance Base's Dancers Emerging Bursary Scheme where she continued to develop her skills as a contemporary creator and performer. Her diverse foundation underpins her ability to move fluidly between different roles - as a performer, producer and creative coordinator.
Melissa Heywood:
Performer
Melissa has a striking and confident stage presence. Her theatre training means that she is confident in a variety of dance styles and has experience presenting text, song and character on stage.
Melissa has worked with a variety of choreographers/directors such as Jack Webb, Fubunation, Emily Speed, Bridie Gane, Divya Kasturi, Roisin O’Brien, Meta4 Dance Company, EQ Dance Company,
and more. She has also made on screen appearance for APPLE TV and SONY.​
Melissa Heywood:
Producer
Melissa works as a producer across a large variety of her own and others creative projects. In her producing Melissa strives to push the boundaries of contemporary dance performance and physical theatre, exploring human relationships and storytelling often inspired by her own outdoor adventures. Her work has been presented in venues across the UK like The Bonnie Bird Theatre (London), Staffordshire Street Gallery (London), Aberdeen Art Gallery during the DanceLive Festival (Aberdeen) and at the Creatiful Festival (Dundee).
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Under the umbrella of her work Melissa has now produced multiple filmic works within the UK. Her proudest achievement has been winning the Trinity Laban Innovation Award 22/23 for her work with The Grounding Project to produce “The Water Series”, a three part documentary dance series. Her films often have an environmental edge to them and are shot in rural sites where she often works both in front and behind the camera.
Melissa Heywood:
Creative Coordinator
If you want to make something happen—whether it’s a fundraising event, film screening, or weekly team meeting—Melissa can help you bring it to life.
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In her roles as Engagement Projects Coordinator, Professional Programme Coordinator, and Social Media Lead at Dance Base, as well as Charity and Fundraising Officer at Fire & Peace Recovery, Melissa has developed strong skills in project coordination.
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She has delivered a wide range of online and in-person events designed to connect and inspire communities. From 2020 to 2023, she raised £6,200 for Dig Deep and climbed Kilimanjaro in support of their mission, organising seven original fundraising events along the way. One standout project, the Dig Deep Digital Dash, raised over £1,500 and saw participants collectively travel 7,500km. It earned both Virtual Event of the Year (NSFA) and Fundraising Event of the Year (Dig Deep Awards, 2021).
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Melissa has honed her application and grant-writing skills, securing a 63% increase in annual income for Fire & Peace Recovery whilst in her position. She’s also skilled in managing team communications, marketing strategies, and website development—bringing creativity, clarity, and coordination to every project she works on.
