
Melissa is a classically trained flute and piccolo player, and holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS. She studied with flautists Elizabeth Du Bois - McCartney and Christine Feierabend, as well as other members of Symphony Nova Scotia. A regular performer, Melissa appears at the West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts' Summer Concert Series at Union Church each season, as well as other solo and collaborative engagments in New England. She is has performed at the Saint-Gauden Summer Concert Series, and she is a member of the Windham Orchestra, Claremont American Band, Claremont Jazz Band, and she has appeared with the Keene Chamber Orchestra and the Sage City Symphony. In November of 2014 Melissa performed the world premiere of a new work for solo flute and orchestra by internationally acclaimed composer Kinan Azmeh, a commission in honor of Claremont's 250th Anniversary. Melissa also has a flute studio where she teaches beginner through advanced students. In 2015 she was awarded the NH Governor's Award for Distinguised Arts Leadership.
Melissa is available for performances of varying types, including recitals, special events, collaborations, and orchestral work. Event options include flute and guitar, flute and piano, and flute with harp/soprano. Other performance options can be negotiated with the performer. Melissa is a teacher of flute/piccolo beginner through advanced, saxophone for beginner through intermediate, beginner piano, and the fundamentals of creativing and performing. She is the Executive and Artistic Director of the West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts, the Music Director for the Saint-Gaudens Memorial Music Series at Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park, and Artistic Director of the Bach Tree.