This is Melissa’s 1st summer with Mindsteward and excited to join the team! She is currently the Choir Director/Music teacher at  Wood-Ridge Jr./Sr. High School in Wood-Ridge, NJ (2003-Present).  Melissa also currently runs her own private voice and piano studio (2003-Present). She currently teaches at Allegro Arts Academy in Carlstadt, NJ  (2004 - Present). Director of the Wood-Ridge Recreation Program (2009-2011); graduate of Wood-Ridge High School - 1999; Bachelors in Music: Major Music Education and Vocal Performance – 2003 from The College of New Jersey; Masters in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College in 2007. 

Musical performance experience: Carnegie Hall Performance - March 2015, 2016, 2017 with the National Festival Chorus - Manhattan Concert Productions; Studio workshops for Margaret Leary 1999-2009, Vocal Soloist; Bethany Worship Team 2004-2007, 2015 - Present Vocal soloist and back up singer, Wyckoff, NJ.; A Gala Evening of Music of the Stage 2001-2003, Soloist with orchestra, TCNJ; TCNJ Winter Orchestra Concert 2002, vocal soloist, Nov. 23, 2002; TCNJ Opera Theatre Productions 1999-2002: The Boys From Syracuse: Luce, TCNJ;  Die Fledermaus: Chorus;  Brigadoon: Lead dancer/chorus; Westside Story: Anita, On-Stage Theatre Company in Oakland, NJ; Summer 2001; Wood-Ridge HS Productions 1995-1999: Grease: Sandy, The Wizard of Oz: Cowardly Lion, The Sound of Music: Maria, Mame: Mame, Inherit the Wind: Howard, Annie: Annie.

Awards/Recognitions - Her select choir was selected to perform at Carnegie Hall March of 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2019 with the National Festival Chorus in New York City; Received a 4 year grant from Paper Mill Playhouse “Adopt-A-School Project” for Wood-Ridge High School from 2011-2015; Wood-Ridge Memorial Fund Educator’s Award 2016; Governor’s Teacher Recognition Award for Wood-Ridge High School for 2009-2010; Advisor of the 2009 Year: For the Lindsey Meyer Teen Institute for the state of New Jersey for years of service to teen leaders and drug prevention from 1996-2009; Resolution from Wood-Ridge Board of Education for years of service to Teen Institutes for the Wood-Ridge School District October 2009; Wood-Ridge Memorial Foundation 2016 Honoree for Excellence in Music Education for Wood-Ridge Students; Coordinator for NJPAC Hip Hop Class for W-RHS; Helped students get into College Vocal Auditions and Bergen County Chorus numerous times; Awesome news - Her former choir & private vocal student was one of the leads in “Spring Awakening” &  “Dear Evan Hansen” on Broadway (Connor Murphy) and much more.  - Alex Boniello (Wood-Ridge Native)!  So proud of him and all my students.  She would like to thank God, all her teachers and family for all of their love and support. To my cast members…Break a Leg!!!