Get to know Melodia

What have you been up to?
"I received my Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Ithaca College in the Spring of 2020.  I am currently the General and Vocal Music Director at Gaithersburg Middle School in Montgomery County."
How long have you been singing in choirs?
"Since high school, 2010!"
What is your favorite musical memory?
"Performing 'Considering Matthew Shepard' by Craig Hella Johnson with the Ithaca College Choir."
Do you have any special talents or interests outside of music?
"I love PLANTS and SNAKES."
Who is your favorite composer?
"I love Veljo Tormis, Adolphus Hailstork, and AMY BEACH!!!!"
Who is your favorite non-classical musical artist?
"Lady Gaga, Josh Groban, H.E.R., and Lin Manuel Miranda."
What is your favorite thing about singing in Lux?
"I love making high level music with such fun and kind people!!!"
What's your favorite song you've sung with Lux?
"AMY BEACHHHHHHHH"
Breakfast for dinner or dinner for breakfast?
"Breakfast for dinner; the other is incorrect."
If you could turn anything purple, what would it be?
"My eyes!"
What's the most interesting fact about you?
"I played french horn for 10 years before fully committing to voice as my instrument!"
What's your favorite sports team?
"LUX Choir"
What were you doing in the summer when you were in middle school?
"I was a competitive baton twirler for about a decade... so probably marching in a parade!!!!!"

Melodia Mae Rinaldi (she/her/hers) is a music educator from Baltimore, Maryland. She is currently the director of the Vocal Programs at Gaithersburg Middle School in Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. She also teaches General Music. Ms. Rinaldi received her Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from Ithaca College in the Spring of 2020 and her bachelor's degree from Towson University in PreK-12 General and Vocal Music Education in the Spring of 2018. For her education degree, she completed education internships in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Ms. Rinaldi is a teaching artist of theater and arts programs in the Baltimore/D.C. Area where she plans and instructs music, dance, drama, and design curricula. Versatile in voice and teaching strategies, Ms. Rinaldi is sought out as a coach for classical, contemporary, and popular students and artists alike.

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News & Updates

In the Summer of 2021, Melodia will participate in the Chorus America Conducting Academy as a Scholar, the Atlanta Summer Conducting Institute as a Fellow, and the University of Michigan Choral Conducting Symposium.