Violin
Melissa Draper has been playing and loving the violin since she was four. She has won many competitions, including MTNA, ASTA, the Utah State Fair, and Stillman-Kelly. She was a National Finalist for MTNA in 1997 and soloed with the Utah Symphony in 1999. She studied violin performance, first at BYU, then pursued her master's degree at The Manhattan School of Music. Currently, Melissa works as both a teacher and a freelance musician. Melissa is a prolific recording and performing artist on both violin and viola. Melissa is a regular player for Ballet West and subs for the Utah Symphony and other musical groups in the area. Melissa has been faculty at The Gifted Music School and The Waterford School; however, she is currently focused on her private studio and professional performance. Melissa was Director of Artistics for the Stradivarius International Violin Competition in 2007 and 2010.
Melissa feels greatly indebted to all her fabulous teachers, including Hiroko Primrose, Debbie Moench, Jack Ashton, Igor Gruppman, Vesna Gruppman, Robert Mann, and Nicholas Mann. They have greatly enriched her life through their knowledge and skills. She has also worked with prestigious performers such as Glenn Dicterow, Joseph Silverstein, James Stern, Andres Cardenes, Zakhar Bron, and Steven Clapp. When not pursuing music and teaching, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband and four young children.
