Internationally acclaimed opera singer Chelsea Melcher is a native of Coldwater, Michigan and has been described as “coolly captivating” and “a woman to be reckoned with” onstage. The Opera Idol National Finalist graduated with a Performance Diploma from the world-renowned Jacobs School of Music under the study of Heidi Grant Murphy, Kevin Murphy, and Timothy Noble. At The Jacobs School of Music Chelsea performed Musetta (La Bohème) under the baton of Paul Nadler and direction of Jeffrey Buchman. Chelsea’s recent roles include Valencienne (The Merry Widow), Maria (The Sound of Music), Adina (L’Elisir d’amore), Suor Genovieffa (Suor Angelica), Violetta (La Traviata), Annina, (La Traviata) Nedda (I Pagliacci), Adina (L’Elisir d’Amore), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Mariuccia (I Due Timidi), Female Chorus (The Rape of Lucretia), Micaëla (Carmen), Frasquita (Carmen)Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), Mimi (La Bohème), and Papagena (Die Zauberflöte), Musetta, (La Bohème), and Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni).
Chelsea has performed Verdi’s Requiem and Strauss’ Vier Letzte Lieder, the Messiah, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and Mahler’s Second Symphony. Melcher’s performing includes collaboration with Opera Columbus, Opera Seabrook, Opera Project Columbus, Bay View Music Festival, New Albany Symphony Orchestra, Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra, Columbus Symphony, Ohio Light Opera, Midland Symphony, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Amherst Symphony, Central Michigan Orchestra, and The Ohio State University Orchestra.
Chelsea has been awarded the prestigious Margaret Speaks Scholarship, Jacobs School of Music Graduate Tuition Award, Jacobs School of Music Performance Certificate Recommendation, Wilson Award, Women in Music (Columbus) Award, and has received first place in numerous concerto competitions. Chelsea has been featured performing many works of modern composers and has performed world premieres for composers such as Paul Melcher, Philip Rice, and Jacob Reed. Chelsea is the founder of Vocal Career Academy and Nerves Be Gone Academy, Professor of Entrepreneurial Performance Anxiety within the Marketing Impact Academy and soon to be Professor of Music at Siena Heights University. Chelsea specializes in coaching performers to manage anxieties and gain a natural confidence onstage and in auditions. Her masterclasses, coachings and courses have helped hundreds of students gain confidence, take their mind off the opinions of others, and truly enjoy performing.
In addition to her performance career, Chelsea has co-founded RED School of Music with professional teachers and unlimited performance opportunities. Guests artists and professional collaborations feature RED School of Music faculty and students across the midwest.
Internationally acclaimed composer and pianist Paul Melcher has performed in concert halls around the world. Featured on CBS “Christmas in Norway”, Paul has toured with the St. Olaf Choir where he performed for Queen Sonja Haraldsen of Norway and worked closely with the renowned Anton Armstrong. Paul’s award winning compositions have world premiered in the midwest and featured in RED Chapel Concert series programs. Paul has served as music director for various opera company programs and accompanied professional singers and choirs including Opera Columbus, Opera Project Columbus, Bay View Music Festival, Encore Theater, Refectory Dinner Music Series, Grand Rapids Ballet, BalletMet of Columbus, and more.
Paul has won awards including first place for the Piano Concerto Competition (St. Olaf College), Piano Concerto Competition (Central Michigan University), Schubert Club, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony Piano Concert Competition, Schubert Club Piano Competition, and is a semi-finalist for the Fidelio International Piano Composition Competition.
Paul’s publications of arrangements include “Mass of the Archangels”, “His Eye is on the Sparrow”, “I am the Bread of Life”, “Servant Song”, “Cry of the Poor”, “Be Not Afraid/Taste and See”, “In Every Age”, “Praise Be the Father”, “Softly and Tenderly”, “Shepherd of Souls”, “Amazing Grace”. In addition, Paul has composed 25 piano compositions, 15 choral compositions and 15 collaborative compositions. Paul has also served as music director and organist for Our Lady of Lourdes Church and Living Hope Lutheran Church and is founder of “Music on the Hill Concert Series” and co-founder of RED School of Music.
Paul has led choirs, directed ensembles, and conducted for over 15 years with various companies, groups, ensembles, and professionals across the midwest. He is the founder and director of the Red Chapel Children’s Choir and has composed multiple church children’s performances that have premiered at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Marysville, OH.
In addition to his performance career, Paul has co-founded RED School of Music with professional teachers and unlimited performance opportunities. Guests artists and professional collaborations feature RED School of Music faculty and students across the midwest. Paul is also the founder of RED Chapel Concert Series, a local non-profit committed to providing more performance opportunities for the community and providing scholarships for students in financial need to afford lessons.