Melissa is an inspiring and committed Dalcroze music educator who specializes in eurhythmics and improvisation. Dalcroze is at the heart of everything she does as a music professional. She finds the unique combination of movement, improvisation, dynamic social interaction, and deep study of music to be ingenious and exhilarating. She has taught Dalcroze workshops and classes throughout New England including The Boston Symphony Outreach program, New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, Emmanuel Church, Community MusicWorks in Providence, Rhode Island, and The University of Connecticut. In addition to her teaching at Longy, she is also currently on the piano faculty of Concord Conservatory.
Ms. Tucker currently serves on the Dalcroze Society of America’s Professional Development Committee and has served as Co-Chair of Longy’s Dalcroze Department. Melissa has published articles on improvisation and Dalcroze Pedagogy in Dalcroze Connections and The American Dalcroze Journal. She was also a founding member of Music Alive, a performing ensemble which created original, interactive, musical shows for children. Most recently, Melissa is bringing her love of music and movement, as well as her knowledge of Dalcroze Eurhythmics, to patients with dementia.
An Oberlin graduate, Melissa earned her Dalcroze Certificate and License from Longy with Lisa Parker and Anne Farber. She studied classical piano with Lydia Frumkin at Oberlin Conservatory and Natasha Chances at Bates College. She was also honored to be a jazz piano student of the late, great, Charlie Banacos. Currently, she is delighted to be continuing her jazz work with Brian Friedland. She also continues to deepen her connection to movement and dance at Ipswich Moving Company with choreographer and artistic director, Janet Craft.
Teaching Philosophy
Music is an art of communication and self-expression which is joyful, yet requires discipline and a love of learning. Melissa believes in the integral relationship of music and movement and in Dalcroze Eurhythmics as a powerful means to achieving embodied musicianship. She is passionate about improvisation as a powerful vehicle for self-expression as well as an effective tool for understanding music from the inside out. Students appreciate her energy, caring, and warmth, as well as her creativity and dedication. She develops a personal relationship with each student and artfully guides them on their musical journey.
B.A., Oberlin College; Dalcroze Certificate and License, Longy School of Music. Piano with Liora Hendel, Natasha Chances, Lydia Frumkin. Educational outreach programs, composition work, performances as a vocal accompanist (including Wang Center, Springfield Symphony, and the premiere of Moses at the Emerson Majestic Theater). Jazz, modern, Brazilian dance studies. Actor training with Carmel Harney. Founding member of MUSIC ALIVE, a Longy-based ensemble, creating and performing musical shows for children.