Teacher

Dear singers,

I wanted to play piano from the moment I first started banging on one. I’ve always sung, often to the dismay of my family. A very nice woman named Marilyn eventually taught me how to play piano without banging on it, and an entirely insane octogenarian named Lillian taught me most of what I know about singing.

Lillian also gave me clothes, beautiful ones. She had a whole closet of leather clothes made for her by an Italian count...and she taught me how to sing without hurting myself.

I spent a year and a few summers studying Music Education with Kodàly teachers, both in Oakland and in Hungary, eventually coming up with an M.M. degree from Holy Names University in Music Education with emphasis in Kodály; When I studied at Sonoma State University, the professors were kind enough to let me do a lot of conducting and teaching. My conducting teacher, David, was endlessly patient with me and taught me the best musician jokes. The powers that be gave me a B.A. in Music (with distinction). Santa Rosa Junior College was a beautiful refuge; the first time in my life where I could really begin to relax and learn. The overall patience and kindness of those instructors stays with me always, along with an A. A. degree in Music. I love learning, so I go to a lot of workshops. This summer I took a jazz piano workshop from Kent Hewitt, who kindly offered suggestions for my clumsy voicings. I’ve participated in music workshops in Hungary, Italy, Indiana University and the Circlesongs Workshop with Bobby McFerrin. I’m a member of the Music Teacher’s Association of California®, and various Kodàly societies when I remember to pay my dues. In past years, I’ve conducted Musical Theatre (in a WPA project amphitheater), a women’s chorus, a boys’ chorus, a children’s chorus and church choirs too numerous to list. I sing for funerals, and sometimes for church, but mostly I stay home and weed my garden, cook, sew clothes, and pet my cats. I also write and arrange music. You can find my compositions at: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/publishers/melinda-moreaux-sheet-music/3006570