Melanie graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor's degree in Violin Performance. She studied under the direction of soloist Monte Belknap, and focused her studies on studio teaching. While in college she was privileged to teach at BYU as a violin instructor for two years. While in Utah, Melanie was fortunate to be mentored by renowned Suzuki Teacher Trainer Denise Willey and spent nearly a year observing in her studio which highly influenced her current teaching style with young children. At BYU Melanie performed with the illustrious BYU Chamber Orchestra, BYU Philharmonic, in many operas, and various chamber ensembles. Growing up Melanie performed in multiple orchestras with the Tacoma Youth Symphony Organization, All-Northwest, and All-State Orchestra.
Melanie began her violin studies with Jan Coleman when she was eight, and continued with late Kent Coleman. At age 10 she won a full scholarship to the Seattle Conservatory of Music which led to her first public performance on the radio station Classical KING FM. From a young age Melanie was an annual competitor in the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival (Garnishing Seals of Outstanding Achievement), MTNA Competition, Simon Fiset Violin Competition (winner), and was a finalist in the Renton Young Artist Showcase.
Working with her first student at age 14, Melanie has developed her love of teaching through 10+ years of experience. Focusing on good technique, she breaks skills down and presents them as games so kids as young as age three can learn. Native of Maple Valley, Melanie and her husband Colin currently reside in Snoqualmie, WA and have violin studios in both Snoqualmie and Maple Valley.
