Melanie has been teaching violin to students of all ages for over a decade. Originally from upstate NY, Melanie started playing violin at the age of eight, studying under Reuben Bennett, who was a string teacher and professional violinist with the Boston Symphony. She studied Music Performance at SUNY Empire State College in Saratoga Springs and performed in many different community orchestras and chamber groups throughout the tristate area of NY, NJ, and PA. Most recently, she was the Concertmaster and past board member of the Lake Norman Orchestra in Mooresville, NC.
Melanie is a traditional teacher of music, specifically focusing on note reading, technical proficiency, and has experience working with special needs students. She tailors her teaching methods to her student’s individual needs and has experience taking her students from beginning to advanced levels, preparing them for auditions into the North Carolina Youth Orchestra, where they have been accepted to their various orchestral programs.
Melanie came Lake Norman in 2017, and has been teaching here ever since, recently retiring from a career in accounting to focus on teaching full time. Melanie also performs in a quartet that was recently formed under her company, Beautiful Music by Melanie, and enjoys performing for weddings and other special occasions. She enjoys spending time with her four grandchildren, hiking in all of the beautiful area parks, and attending live music events. Being a violin teacher is Melanie’s true passion, and she gets great satisfaction in seeing a student grow in their musical journey, which enhances their lives in so many ways!