BIO
Kristen Melzer, mezzo-soprano, is a recent graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University where she received her Bachelor's of Music in Music Education. She was a voice student of James Smith-Parham, piano student of Daniel Stipe, vocal coaching student of Melanie Day, conducting student of Erin Freeman, and music education student of David Greennagel.
Serving the Commonwealth Singers, VCU’s premier mixed choral ensemble, Melzer fulfilled the role of Alto Section Leader for three semesters (2018-2019). She also served Choral Arts Society, VCU’s non-auditioned mixed choral ensemble, as Conducting Assistant before serving alongside friend and colleague, Lida Bourhill, as Conducting Assistant of the Commonwealth Singers. This position allowed Melzer the opportunities to conduct her colleagues in concerts as well as help prepare the combined choruses of Commonwealth Singers and Richmond Symphony Chorus in Richmond Ballet’s production of Carmina Burana by Carl Orff (2019). After performing on stage in the opera program for three semesters, Melzer switched to serving as Assistant Stage Manager for three semesters. Melzer joined the collegiate chapter of American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA) in 2017 and later became an executive officer for two years. An advocate for inclusivity, Melzer served as an intern for the LIVE ART program at the School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community (SPARC) for two years where she developed individual relationships with students with and without disabilities.
During her time as a student she held part-time jobs as Alto Section Leader at local churches as well as a shift supervisor at the campus Starbucks. She is currently the Alto Section Leader at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Petersburg, Virginia, where she performs solos and conducts Sunday services.
Although serving and education are strong passions of hers, Melzer participated in various performance opportunities. She performed in two of VCU Opera’s spring productions and one fall production of opera scenes. She sang in the opera chorus and portrayed the role of Dolcina in Giacomo Puccini’s Suor Angelica (2017). She also sang in the opera chorus and covered the role of Cherubino in W. A. Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro (2018). External to VCU, Melzer was accepted to Wintergreen Music Festival’s Vocal Intensive Program in the summer of 2019 where she was offered multiple performance opportunities as well as sang alto in the quartet of movements one and seven in J.S. Bach’s Gott ist mein König.
In her free time, Melzer thoroughly enjoys being outside, being with family, and exploring new places. Kristen hopes to continue to find fun performance opportunities as she moves into her career in education. She plans on applying to local public schools to become a music educator while personally continuing her studies of voice, piano, and conducting.