Designed for Life
creating space for genuine reaction
Melinda Rice is a gatherer of stories, organizer of community musical experiences, songwriter, arranger, composer, leader, director, collaborator, violinist, violist, and player of the electric 5 string. Melinda organizes the biannual siren songs in Foy Park and over the past year was an organizer and composer of the multi-genre project, Performing Sustainability, at Ursinus College. Melinda has been grateful to share the stage recently with artists Marshall Allen, Bobby Zankel, Tatsuya Nakatani and Carla Kihlstedt, and to work on projects with Tom Kraines, Sepehr Pirasteh and ArcX Quartet. Recently, Melinda has released music with People’s Music Supply Composer’s Orchestra and on a duo album with Amy K. Bormet.
Testimonials on Melinda
“Hope and mystery. That’s Melinda.”
— Sarah Fridrich (songwriter)
“From film scores to improvised stream of consciousness music, folk lyrics to librettos, Melinda is an endless stream of creativity. My collaborations with her continue to set a high bar for my work with other creatives, and I frequently rely on her expertise as a writer, performer, and educator.”
— Amy Bormet (composer, pianist, founder of Washington Women in Jazz Festival)
“I've had the pleasure of having Melinda arrange and play violin parts on my last three albums and she always surprises and amazes me with her creativity and proficiency, her contributions lift my songs to another level. She adds sweetness and depth to whatever she plays on, a true artist.”
— Paul Hiraga (Downpilot)
“We call her magical Melinda. My daughter is often less than enthused about the work of violin, but her mood would lift and she invariably came out smiling after a lesson with Melinda. She finds a way to make it fun, finds their strengths and interests, and is always learning about creative new ways of teaching.”
— Priscilla B. (parent of two violin students)
“She’s been my teacher for six years and she has been very patient and understanding, and is an amazing teacher overall.”
— Lucas K. (violin student)
"I have had the privilege to work with Melinda both as her student and later as a teaching colleague. When I was a student, Melinda’s teaching style prepared me for the expectations that I would encounter as a collegiate and professional musician. As a teaching mentor when I worked with her, Melinda instilled in me the importance of patience to teach and inspire students through music. She takes the time to understand the needs of every student and uses that information to share her wide knowledge of music."
— Kris Rahamad (composer, violinist, former student and colleague)