Music

Melinda Rice, String Ensemble Director
Melinda Rice, String Ensemble Director

Melinda Rice

Melinda Rice is a violinist and songwriter interested in creating space for genuine reaction. Born in Pennsylvania and a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, Melinda returned to Pennsylvania in 2020 after a decade and a half exploring music in southern California.

Among the ensembles Melinda has deeply played, arranged, and/or collaborated with are the Craft in America House Band, A Tribute Ensemble, Isaura String Quartet, Wild Up, The Industry, San Bernardino Symphony, and the Marian Anderson Historical Society. Melinda has released two albums of original works, and wrote the libretto for an opera called Bonnie and Clyde. As an instructor, Melinda has taught at CalArts, developed curriculum in collaboration with the LA Phil, worked with students in the El Sistema-inspired YOLA and Harmony Project programs in Los Angeles from 2008-2022, and led the All City Orchestra of the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra from 2017-2021.

Melinda is currently working on an album project tentatively titled murmurations, and on collaborative projects re:claim (working with a poet) and Water Cycle (working with another composer).

Department

Music

Degrees

BA, Liberal Arts, Sarah Lawrence College

MFA, Violin Performance, California Institute of the Arts

Teaching

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (Preliminary), California Commision on Teacher Credentialing

Website

melinda-rice.com