has served as music director for several Playhouse productions including IN THE HEIGHTS, MURDER FOR TWO, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS and INTO THE WOODS. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in clarinet performance and music education, as well as a Master of Music Education degree, both from The Hartt School. She is on faculty at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts full -day program, and formerly served as a vocal coach, music director, and musicianship teacher in The Hartt School’s Theatre Division. As a music director and pianist, Melanie has worked with community and professional theater companies throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts, including the Young People's Center for Creative Arts, Ivoryton Playhouse, and New Paradigm Theater. She believes strongly in the power of the arts to foster empathy and meaningful connection, and recently wrote a directed an original musical “The Happiness Project."