MELISSA PRIMAVERA - BRASS INSTRUCTOR

Melissa attended New Mexico State University where she earned her B.A. in Music Education. She performed with the NMSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, and the NMSU Pride Marching Band. She spent  4 years  marching lead baritone for Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps from Denver, CO. She also performed with the Blue Knights' low brass ensemble and earned a gold medal with her solo performance at the annual DCI I&E competition in 2007.

 

After aging out of DCI, Melissa joined the brass staff for the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps from 2008-2010. In 2013, she joined the Oregon Crusaders brass staff leading breathing exercises, warm-up/down procedures with the hornline and assisted the baritone/euphonium section. In 2015, Melissa was the Brass Caption Head and Coordinator for Coastal Surge in Myrtle Beach, SC.

 

Melissa continued her education at Illinois State University earning her M.M. in Music Performance. While attending ISU: Melissa taught individual music lessons, coached chamber groups, and devoted her time studying and researching brass pedagogy and literature. Melissa was the teaching assistant for the 250 member marching band (Big Red Marching Machine) and pep band. She worked as the visual instructor, music instructor, drill writer, and conductor.

 

Melissa has performed with the ISU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Wind Symphony Tuba-Euphonium quartet, Tuba-Euphonium ensemble, Jazz Band, Miami Wind Symphony, Bill Muter & the Sharp Shooters, and the Ivanhoe Brass. Melissa was chosen to perform with the ITEA Intercollegiate Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble in 2010, participated in the Low Brass Boot Camp 2011, performed with Star United DCA, and the Brass Band of Central Illinois. Melissa has also performed extensively throughout the United States and Japan, as well as South Korea and Columbia, South America. She was a performer playing trombone, bass trombone, euphonium, and baritone with Min-On's stage show Odyssey 'Brass Angels'. Melissa was also a featured cast member in the Tony and Emmy award winning Broadway show Blast! playing euphonium, baritone, and trombone.

 

Currently Melissa is the assistant band director at Manor High School in Manor, TX.