Melissa serves as music director, organist and pianist for the Haliburton United Church choir as well as keyboardist for contemporary music Sundays and other events at the church.
The London, Ontario native holds an associate diploma from the Western Conservatory of Music and is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario where she received degrees in both music and education. A resident of Haliburton for over 45 years, Melissa spends her time as a retired high school teacher who cannot say ‘no’ to teaching jobs, as well as a private music teacher and the choir director/organist for two local churches.
She has been musical director of the Highlands Festival Singers (formerly the Haliburton Messiah Choir) since its inception in 1991, and is also the director of the North Hastings Community Choir in Bancroft and the College Community Choir of Lindsay. Her choirs have tackled such works as Handel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Vivaldi’s Gloria.
Melissa is known for her tireless involvement in the arts. Summer residents are familiar with her as a performer, accompanist, and often musical director for the Highlands Summer Festival (performing arts). The rest of the summer she is busy as the production manager for Highlands Opera Studio.
Melissa was named Highlander of the Year in 1998 and Artist of Distinction in 2007.
Haliburton United Church 