Melissa Michaels, Ed.D., creates movement based cross-cultural events serving people navigating their way through major life thresholds. She is the founder and director of SomaSource® Educational Programs, Surfing The Creative® International Rites of Passage Process, and Golden Bridge, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving and empowering the lives of people around the world. Melissa developed the first contemporary youth leadership rites of passage program rooted in dance. For three decades, she has been engaged in the healing, initiating, educating, and mentoring of diverse young people and the adults who serve them. The story of this work will soon be shared in Melissa’s forthcoming book, Youth On Fire. As a Fielding University Fellow, she is currently creating waves of peace through movement … from schools in our inner cities, to refugee settlements, to the United Nations. Melissa is a first generation teacher of the 5Rhythms® along with being a registered Somatic Movement Educator and Therapist (ISMETA).