An accomplished singer/songwriter, Afro Cuban dancer and actress, Melvis grew up next to the legendary theater Federico Garcia Lorca, in a vivid and eclectic neighborhood of La Habana, Cuba, surrounded by multi-cultural influences.
She studied classical piano in the Manuel Saumell Music School since the age of 7 and also completed a music degree as Music teacher at the University of Arts (I.S.A.) in her hometown.
At the age of 14 she launched her professional career as part of the all-girl collective vocal group Sexto Sentido, a project that Cuban jazz great Chucho Valdés defined in 2007 as “the best Cuban vocal quartet of the past 30 years”. The ensemble had previously collaborated with other great musicians as Steve Coleman and Michel Legrand, among others.
They also won the first prize of the prestigious Jo-Jazz in 2001, the Cuban youth Jazz competition.
