About Melinda

INTRO

Contemporary vocalist, Melinda (Mel) Ceresoli - pronounced "CHE-re-soli" - has extensive experience as a performer, educator, examiner, adjudicator - and author. Brought up in a family of professional musicians, she started gigging (singing & piano) at the age of sixteen. She has been involved in radio and TV, as a backing vocalist on Good Morning Australia and vocal coach for the TV show, The Young Talent Time. Melinda has recorded numerous TV & radio jingles.

In August 2011, Mel commenced a full-time teaching position at Box Hill Institute (TAFE), lecturing in her two main areas of interest - aural studies (ear training) and contemporary voice.

EDUCATION

Melinda holds a Bachelor of Music (Jazz Voice) from the Qld Conservatorium and completed a Master of Music Studies at The University of Melbourne. Her research focussed on voice and vocal pedagogy. She also holds various postgraduate degrees in music and education.

In 2010-2011 Melinda studied "Vocology" (the science and practice of voice habilitation) at the National Centre for Voice and Speech in Salt Lake City - Utah, under Dr Ingo Titze. These studies have enabled Melinda to gain a deep level of understanding in vocal anatomy, voice function, vocal disorders and vocal pedagogy. This is the only course of its kind in the world and Melinda is the first Australian to complete the Certification in Vocology.

EXPERIENCE

Melinda posses a keen interest in the development of contemporary music education, working as a vocal teacher, vocal examiner and aural musicianship tutor. Melinda is recognised for her interest in contemporary vocal styles, particularly Jazz and improvisation. She is a specialist in contemporary styles, including Jazz, funk, RnB, Pop and Music Theatre.

She is regularly invited to adjudicate at various eisteddfods, as a specialist in contemporary voice. Mel is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium, with a major in Jazz Voice and improvisation with extensive studies in vocal pedagogy. She has also undertaken advanced studies aural training in various postgraduate courses, which has led to her highly successful aural musicianship textbooks, 'Aural Essentials' and 'Musicianship Essentials'.

Mel has worked in various educational settings, including lecturing at the Queensland Conservatorium's "Young Con'" to teaching at TAFE/Adult Education and various secondary schools.

Jazz is Mel's first love but she is also a big fan of Music Theatre, Prog Rock, Early Music, Funk, RnB, World Music (particularly Middle Eastern & Indian), 70s Disco, 80s power ballads and most cheesy pop tunes.

Melinda credits her love of music to her parents - mum - Jo Muhrer, a talented and highly-musical jazz/cabaret singer who could scat better than anyone around town! and dad - Ugo Ceresoli, a legendary accordianist and composer, who played a key role in Melbourne's Italian music scene, with his band the Mokambo Orchestra, and his music shop, Mondo Music, in Lygon St. Carlton.