[4][5][6] Born in South Africa and raised in Canada, during her younger years, van der Schyff aspired to become a jazz singer, noting Miles Davis and John Coltrane as inspirations to her.
[11] Other plays she has acted in include originating the role of Virginia/Clara in the South Coast Repertory's World Premiere of An Italian Straw Hat, originating the role of Yelenka in the La Jolla Playhouse's World Premiere musical Zhivago directed by Des McAnuff, originating the role of Ginny in the staged musical workshop of Post Office at the Kirk Douglas Theatre which was composed by Michael Friedman of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and directed by Mark Brokaw, Ballad which earned her an Ovation Award nomination and a Drama-Logue Award, Pud in the West Coast Premiere of Horton Foote's Laura Dennis and The Transformation of Benno Blimpie at the McCadden Place Theatre which earned her a spot in Entertainment Today's top ten talents to watch out for in L.A.[8] Big River and Pippin director, Jeff Calhoun, cast van der Schyff as Blanche Barrow in the very first reading of the world premiere Frank Wildhorn musical "Bonnie and Clyde" when it was just half a script and a few songs.
[14] Playbill Editor Blake Ross named van der Schyff singing "That's What You Call A Dream" in Bonnie and Clyde as one of his 2011 Unforgettable Experiences.
"[17] The New York Observer's Rex Reed wrote: "...holding her own corner of the stage in every scene is Melissa van der Schyff, a knockout belter...she plays the sympathetic and pivotal role of Blanche Barrow, the wife of Clyde's brother Buck and a woman who sacrifices her ideals and self-respect for love...she stops the show as a kind of operatic Dolly Parton, while the audience begs for more.
[7] van der Schyff also starred as Tina Carso on the TV series Chicago Hope and worked as voice-over artist on The Muppets, Rubber Chicken Cards, and various commercials, jingles and animation projects.
van der Schyff is also an award-winning songwriter and singer, and was voted Artist of the Year by Femmusic.com and nominated for an Independent Music Award for her single, "Divine".