Melissa McInnes – It all began when I was seven years old, sitting next to my mom at the Royal Alexander Theatre watching “Les Miserables.” I remember sitting there, not wanting to move an inch for the fear that I would miss something. It was then, I realized my love for music and said to myself, “that will be me on stage one day!” That autumn, I started voice lessons.

In April 2003, I graduated from Cambrian College in Sudbury, Ontario, with a diploma in Music in Performance. I have completed all grades in vocal, up to grade ten, of The Royal Conservatory of Music. Over the years, I have studied with Ann Sneyd of Collingwood, Marion Harvey-Hannah of Sudbury and Jane Black of Barrie. I competed in the Barrie and Sudbury Kiwanis Music Festival placing within the top three in each class every year. I have received cash awards for Junior Vocal Scholarships, Adjudicator Awards, Intermediate Vocal Scholarships, Marlene E. Perry Memorial Scholarship, Neil Hightower Memorial Award for Outstanding Vocal Music Theatre and Top Advanced Senior Vocalist for Broadway/Theatre performance.  In August of 2003 I was a member of the  Ontario Young Choir  conducted by Noel Edison, which traveled South-East Ontario and Montreal from September 20th to 27th, 2003.

Since 2006, I have worked at Cloutier Music as the vocal teacher, and have performed as soloist for many community events in the area. My experience has led me to the role of the Mother in “Amahl and the Night Visitors” at Trinity United Church in December of 2007. In 2010 I recorded my first CD, “Christmas Angel” and  in Concert “Christmas Angel” on November 28^th 2010 at All Saints Church.  In November 2011, I released my second CD “Hushaby” that was made for my youngest fan and niece Sydney Bowins. In the winter of 2012 I was the Musical director for the Wasaga Beach community theater show “Little Shop of Horrors” that ran April 19 to 22, 2012.

As a fundraiser for the CIBC Run for the Cure on October 5^th 2014 at Blue Mountain Resorts. Amanda Bryce-Farrell, Laura Connolly and I put on a concert called “THEATRE PINK” on Saturday October 4^th 2014, 7:30 pm at Trinity United Church in Collingwood. Amanda Clarke and Paul Sloan donating their time and wonderful talent by accompanying us three ladies. We performed Music Theatre songs from Show Boat, Oklahoma, Wicked, My Fair Lady and many more. Tickets were $15.00 each and all proceeds went to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. To help make a difference in the lives of Canadians who have been affected by breast cancer. We raised $560.00 for the cure.

In 2015 and 2016 I was singing with the Sound Investment Choir  in Collingwood and the  Amaranth Chamber Choir  in Orangeville and singing at events around Collingwood.

In November 2016 I join the DCINY Distinguished Concerts International New York group and sang the Messiah with the Jonathan Griffith Singer at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

In July 2017 I join DCINY and Jonathan Griffith Singers again in Barcelona, Spain to sing Verdi Requiem at La Seu De Manresa on July 23, 2017 and at Palua de la Musica Catalana on July 25, 2017.

In the summer’s I sing with the Shoreline Choir in Owen Sound. In the fall I singing with the Amaranth Chamber Choir  and the Trinity United Church Christmas Cantata and continue to teach voice and piano.

April 2020 I graduated from Loyalty College with my Diploma of Early Childhood Education and in January 2021 I graduated from North American Montessori Center with my NAMC Early Childhood Montessori Diploma.

May 27, 2023 “A Night on Broadway” staring Amanda Bryce, Selina Ree, myself and Colin Eccles on piano.  We performed our favourite songs from different musicals. It was so much fun, we are working on another concert for Fall 2024.

October 2023 to 2024 I started working with Ali Giedraitis at 5th Street Creative Initiatives. We had a great start offering an all abilities Youth Choir, however due to my busy schedule I had to give up the choir. The choir is still being offered, please see http://www.5thstreet.ca for more information.

Currently I am working full time as an Early Childhood Educator (DECE) in Collingwood and teaching Vocal lessons in the evenings from my studio.