Born and raised in upstate, NY (Syracuse areas), Melanie Smelski holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Music Performance (clarinet) from Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY) and a Master of Music in Music Education from Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY). She has 15 years experience teaching middle school band, middle school jazz band, small group lessons, individual private lessons (woodwind specialty), and high school marching band.  Melanie has worked with students of all ages and has routinely prepared school-aged students for concerts, festivals, and auditions.  While living in NY, she performed regularly with the Silverwood Clarinet Choir, and the Central Winds Music Educators Wind Ensemble.  When she isn’t teaching music or working at IMC, Melanie enjoys spending as much time as possible adventuring and exploring Tucson with her 7-year old daughter. 

Melanie specializes in helping students of all ages build strong technique, musicality, and confidence—whether preparing for auditions, improving ensemble skills, or simply enjoying the art of playing. Her goal is to inspire a lifelong love of music in every student I teach.