Melissa Turka

Melissa Faller Turka is a co-founder and Assistant Artistic Director of emme dance collective. She grew up dancing in Lancaster County at Encore Dance Center, under the direction of Alvina Kline. Faller wanted to further her dance education and attended DeSales University where she received her BA in Dance. During her time at DeSales University, she performed works by notable choreographers: Antony Tudor, Trinette Singleton, Jessica Chen, Jeff Shade, and Jamey Hampton, to name a few. After graduating from DeSales, Faller moved back to Lancaster and began her professional career as a freelance artist. Professionally, she has performed in New York City, Philadelphia, Lancaster and the Lehigh Valley for choreographers Emily Kline, Julia Mayo, Tara Madsen Robbins, Melissa Chisena, and more. In 2017, she joined Opus 1 Contemporary Dance Company, under the direction of Lina McMenamin & Tim Early, and performed with them for their 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Performing has always been Faller’s favorite aspect of dance, however, she has begun to find her passion for choreography as well. In the summer of 2016, Faller joined the N.A.D.I.N.E. Project where she performed works by Melissa Chisena, Jennifer Yackel, and Marie Brown. This was where her choreographic career truly began, as she was also required to create some work of her own. Under the direction of Janet Soares and Libby Nye, from the N.A.D.I.N.E. Project, Faller was encouraged to find the satisfaction choreography can give an artist. She began by creating excerpts and solos on herself and eventually built up to full-length pieces she now creates on other dancers.

​ Since 2016, Faller has presented work all across Pennsylvania and in Connecticut as well. Her pieces have been showcased at Lancaster’s Downtown Dances, Dance EXposure in the Lehigh Valley, Convergence Dance Festival in Doylestown, and in Ledyard, Connecticut for the N.A.D.I.N.E. Project. Her style has been described as “ethereal yet grounded” (Samantha Burns, LV Dance in Review); and innovative floor work has become a trademark of Faller’s choreography.