Melissa Perales

Melissa Perales is a Berlin-based curator, promoter and connector who has supported and advocated for marginalised artists and communities since the 1990s. Originally from Chicago, she brings a unique blend of independent music expertise and social justice organising to everything she curates.
She is co-founder of Music Pool Berlin, curator of the DURCHLÜFTEN open-air festival and co-curator of Torstraßenfestival. She is a key figure of the Night School Berlin or Café Chocolat, a community-focused series centring BIPOC artists and sustainable creative living. 

Across all her projects, Melissa fosters spaces for collective growth, care and artistic exchange.
She has moderated many panels, participated on various juries and international gatherings across Europe, always focusing on equity, creativity and the possibilities of “doing it together.”