Melinda has been playing music since she was five years old and began to play the piano by ear. She was born in Arlington, Va. and grew up in Dranesville, Va. She went to a piano teacher when she was five years old, but the teacher turned her away, telling her to come back when she was seven. However, Melinda got a chance to play that day and once the teacher heard her, she allowed Melinda to begin taking lessons right away.

Melinda took piano lessons throughout her school years, and graduated from Herndon High School. She is an accomplished piano player and once gave a solo concert for 350 people. She was accepted early to Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Va. and graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education, then later a Master of Music Education.

She's spent many years teaching music and chorus in the local area. She taught four years in Page County, six years in Rappahannock County, and two years so far in Frederick County, Va. where she is now. She's currently teaching at Redbud Run Elementary School in Winchester, Va. Somewhere in there she took eight years off to raise her family but didn't forget about music. She worked as the Youth Music Director and Education Director at the Front Royal United Methodist Church. She and John have three children who share their parents' love of music.

Piano lessons have been Melinda's specialty for the last 26 years, as well as playing for weddings and church services. Kids and adults both love her because she has some special rapport with each. She's an excellent musician and the band is fortunate to have her both as a player and a conductor.