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Here's what people are saying about working with Melissa:

My daughter started singing 12 months ago with Melissa from SING! During this time Mikayla and Melissa have built a very solid rapport. Melissa's dedication and experience in teaching has brought about an incredible improvement in Mikayla's pitch and the technical foundation and knowledge of singing. Apart from being an awesome teacher, she has a great sense of humour and every lesson is filled with fun and enthusiasm. Thank you Melissa for your expertise and making every lesson something to look forward to.

Debbie McManus - Mother of Mikayla.
 
Melissa is a very fun and enthusiastic teacher who has helped me improve with my pitch, tone and rhythm. I love working with Melissa every week to improve my singing. Melissa is an incredible teacher and brings fun into every lesson. If I could have a lesson 5 days a week I would. I just love it.

Mikayla McManus - Voice Student

I have known and worked with Melissa for over 20 years. As a piano player, I have accompanied Melissa on many occasions over the last 2 decades ranging from weddings, community events, church and community choirs. I have also sung with Melissa on a few occasions, most recently as a member of 8 to the Bar, vocal entertainment ensemble. Melissa's experience and knowledge make it really enjoyable for me to work with her. I have learned much in terms of directing singers and choirs, how to warm up vocally, breathing and pronunciation when singing, and singing with confidence as a result of working with Melissa over the years. Melissa is genuinely concerned with getting the best out of people which works well for me because I’m eager to learn.

Lindsay Johnson - Pianist, Accompanist, Singer 

I have known Mel for more than five years. My association with her has been through choirs and music and I now count her as a friend. Mel has a special gift in music, a beautiful voice and exceptional talent as a chorus master. I have been part of productions where Mel has played a solo role, including the Gothic Symphony at QPAC, and have been thoroughly impressed with not only her individual talent as a singer but also her professionalism working in the performing arts industry . In 2013 I was privileged to be part of a choral ensemble with Mel as the chorus master. I have been in a number of choral groups, and the experience in Mel's group Musica was outstanding. Her attention to the details of choral technique; her capacity to motivate singers and to bring us together as one voice; her planning and goal setting to achieve a high quality performance and her willingness to achieve all this with enjoyment and a sense of fun made this experience a highlight of my year. Mel also has the capacity to encourage choristers to bring their spiritual and emotional senses to the production of beautiful music. I look forward to making more beautiful music in Mel's future ensembles.

Noela Zuk - Singer and Chorister
 
I was lucky enough to meet Melissa in 2009-2010 when were were singing in a Brisbane choir. While I did not know her well then, nor did we have much of a relationship – I believe this was the beginning of a partnership that will last. 

Our relationship evolved through singing together, and sometime later we were met with an opportunity to not only sing, but also work together. At this time I was fortunate enough to have Melissa as not only a colleague, but as a singing teacher and a choral conductor.
 
It is important to see these roles for what they are – very different. 
 
As a colleague – Melissa shows strength of character, high intelligence and the skill to conduct herself in a diplomatic and constructive way. She is clear with her direction, concise with her point of view and highly skilful in outlining her vision.
As a singing teacher, she is hugely supportive, encouraging and enthusiastic. She understands the hiccups and bumps in the road, and is happy to share, commiserate and celebrate with you in your journey.  

As a choral conductor I believe Melissa is in her element. She is prepared and excited to invest in the journey with her chorus; and she allows the group to feel part of the process. And by process, I mean the singing journey. The journey that most conductors have had on their own, or with another choir, or in a theortetical situation. Melissa ensures that her choir is part of the journey – the trials, the successes, the joking and the tests. And as so, the individuals become a group, then the group becomes a team and then the team becomes a choir. Melissa’s ability to take a group of strangers through those stages, connect with them and support them in their journey allows every member to feel confident and successful from beginning to end!
 
Melissa is a confident and knowledgeable singer – this shines through, and is clearly evident when she is singing herself. She is a joy to watch.

Fiona Wilton - Colleague and Chorister
 
 
I have been in a number of choirs over the past 20 years and Melissa is by far the best choir director I've ever had the joy of singing with. Her passion for music is to be expected, but it is her humanity and dedication to helping all choir members find their voice (literally and figuratively) that is most inspirational. Rehearsals are always filled with warmth and laughter. Melissa is an absolute delight and with her help we are making surprisingly beautiful music together.
 
Gayle - MUSICA Chorister