Congratulations!
Grad Day 2008

BIOGRAPHY

Melina is a soulful and sophisticated singer and pianist. Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, this singer-songwriter has composed, arranged and performed in numerous styles including jazz, funk, rock, R&B, folk and soul.

Melina started taking classical piano lessons at the age of 4. This is where she received her solid musical background, having also concentrated on music theory as well as on developing the skills she would later use to start her career as a performing and recording artist. Her lessons continued through high school, CEGEP and university. She holds a B. Mus. in classical piano at McGill University. At the same time, she is striving to obtain an ARCT (performer/teacher accreditation) from the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto. As such, she is an accomplished pianist as well as an experienced teacher for her private students. But whipping out Bach, Mozart, and Chopin for weddings, galas and conferences is only one of her avenues.

With a natural flair for R&B and soul, Melina began writing songs at the age of 11 and soon started singing in school variety shows, community talent shows, local competitions and benefit concerts, using her piano to accompany herself. Her passion for music and song eventually led her at 15 to enter in the RapSohD Talented Teen Competition, where she was crowned Miss RapSohD Talented Teen 2001 after performing one of her own songs.

She then went on to represent Canada at the 2001 Hal Jackson Talented Teen International Scholarship Competition in New York City, where she competed against other singers, dancers, musicians and actors from all over the world. Sharing the stage with guest artist Alicia Keys, who at that time was just starting to make a splash on the pop charts, proved to be a most memorable and inspirational moment in her life. Though she didn't win first place, she managed to walk away with the Wilda LaBrie scholarship for the talented teen with the highest academic standing. It was this pageant that really solidified her love for the stage and made her realize just what it would take to build a career in music.

As such, over the years Melina has shaped and developed her own personal musical style. With the help of her piano, she often adds a touch of jazz to her music and delivers a captivating performance every time. As a professional singer, she has mastered a diverse repertoire ranging from jazz standards to contemporary pop numbers in a smooth and sensuous way, touching the hearts of each and every one in the audience. Melina's original music is itself a fusion of styles, a sultry blend of R&B, jazz and soul, that transcends generations and genres. Though she is currently working on her first album with Override Productions, being first and foremost a lover of live performance, she can now be seen on stages and platforms across the city. Still, wherever she plays, she breathes emotion into the music, as much through her voice as through the keys of her piano.

Melina has also collaborated with many other musicians, singers and producers in and around Montreal. Among others, she has opened for South African sensation Lorraine Klaasen and has shared the stage with fellow Montreal soul and R&B artist Sule Heitner and Montreal singer, songwriter and choreographer Sara Rénélik. She has been seen singing and playing in many different capacities, from large jazz, rock, or R&B bands to small and intimate duos and trios.

Melina has performed in venues like the Oscar Peterson Hall, the Just For Laughs Cabaret, the Theâtre Ste-Catherine, the Monument National, as well as in numerous bars, restaurants, lounges and cafes across the city, such as Jello Bar, Sofa Bar, Brutopia, Clyde's. She has also been featured at events such as weddings, galas and corporate parties.

From 2006 until 2008 Melina was part of a cabaret-style song and dance troupe "Les Belluscious Girls", produced by renowned choreographer Genevieve Cleary, in a series of live performances in Montreal and cities like Ottawa.

Over the last few years Melina has performed with several bands, namely funk/rock group The Shawn Aloysius Band, rock/pop cover band Hot 'n Heavy, as well as soul/funk band Patrick Lehman and the Dropbeat Kings.