About Melissa
Melissa Buchholz (Philp) trained at DDIAE and graduated with the award for Best Performer and the Deans’ Trophy for Solfege. She was awarded an AMusA (piano) with distinction after studying with Wendy Lorenz. She studied violin with Andrew Lorenz and woodwind instruments with various teachers. Melissa went on to achieve her Licentiate with Trinity College London in both piano and recorder, and later was awarded the prestigious Fellowship of Trinity College London. Other qualifications include the Archbishop’s Certificate in Church Music and a degree in Education.
She has had a prestigious teaching career with numerous highlights. Melissa is primarily a woodwind teacher, but also teaches piano, double bass and singing. She has performed with her students in the Sydney Opera House on many occasions, and her students have won countless awards and scholarships. A highlight of her career has been the UK tour of the Breimba flute trio. This trio was trained and accompanied by Melissa and they presented concerts and workshops all over the UK.
Melissa worked at Cowper Public School for five years and developed a unique music program there. She created ‘Opera with the Cows’ which saw professional opera singers performing alongside the school children with a community orchestra. This became a very successful annual event. The music program at this school was a finalist in the prestigious ABC Flame Awards. Melissa was also awarded Young Citizen of the Year for her services to the community in the field of music.
She directed the 10th Australian Flute Convention in 2005. This was the first time the event was held outside a capital city and Melissa was also an accompanist for some of the world’s leading flautists at this event. She went on to later direct the Australian Instrumental Convention, Opera with the Cows, James Morrison concert and workshop in Grafton, Gary Schocker Australian Tour and other events.
As a performer, Melissa has been a member of the duo Shades of Blue, Shed Banned, The Jazz Connection, Breimba and has worked collaboratively with many other musicians. As a conductor she has worked with the Grafton Youth Orchestra, The Cathedral Youth Orchestra, Toowoomba Grammar School Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, The Glennie Grammar Orchestra and the Toowoomba Recorder Consort. She has also directed school choirs and the NightinGirls choir.
Melissa is also an experienced repetiteur and keyboardist and has worked on many productions including Kinky Boots, We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia, Pirates of Penzance, Titanic, Oliver, Boy from Oz and more.
Melissa now performs with ‘Queens of Song’ and runs a thriving private practice. She continues to be in demand as an adjudicator and travels extensively to present workshops. Her work takes her all over Australia and she has a particular passion for working in rural areas to provide encouragement and support to both students and teachers in isolated regions.
In 2023 Melissa was appointed to the examination panel of Trinity College London.