Melanie is ALMOST a Bakersfield native who moved to Bakersfield when she was six.  She was classically trained starting at the age of eight. Aside from classical music, early musical influences were Manheim Steamroller, Linda Ronstead, Blondie, Donna Summer, Fleetwood Mac and The Police.  Her interest in jazz started in high school when a friend gave her a mixed tape of popular jazz songs and she's been hooked ever since. Melanie has played with the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Symphonic Band and the CSUB Community Band.  She started learning to play jazz when she started attending the Bakersfield Jazz Workshops. Aside from music, her hobbies are yoga, photography, cooking, anything "outdoorsy", and spending time with friends.  She is forever grateful to her parents who shelled out money for private flute and piano lessons for so many years and to her music teachers Dan and Rhonda Martin.