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MERISSA GASSEL
SHE/HER JOINED TEAM: 2013
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Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Merissa Gassel grew up as a competition kid, assisting and touring with conventions at the young age of 14. Her professional career began at 15 when she was given the opportunity to dance as a member of Dee Caspary's IV Dance Company. Soon after she performed as a principal dancer for Justin Giles’ Soulescape, and Tessandra Chavez’s Unity LA. As a young dancer in these three companies, she was given the opportunity to perform coast to coast. Since then, Merissa worked as assistant choreographer to Mandy Moore on halftimes for both the Liberty Bowl and the Orange Bowl featuring "Train". In addition, she assisted on the opening number of Nigel Lythgoe's Dizzy Feet Foundation Gala and Capezio's 125th Anniversary show held at New York's City Center. While living in Los Angeles for 9 years, Merissa performed in many live stage shows as well as television, including ABC's "The Secret Life of An American Teenager." Since relocating to Nashville, she has worked on projects for Jake Owen, Dan+Shay and "Dancing with the Stars." Her appreciation for growing up in a dance studio, along with having been given many opportunities at a young age, brought out her strong desire to teach and help mold young dancers. Merissa found her "home" at DC Dance Factory in 2014. She loves traveling with Revive/Adrenaline, where she feels like she is surrounded by some of the best educators in the industry as well as the most humble and loving human beings. Revive/Adrenaline allow her to connect with dancers and share her knowledge, love and passion for movement with students across the country. |
