Melanie was born and raised in the Panama Canal Zone. Her love of music began at a very young age when she was cast in her first community theatre musical “SHOWBOAT” at the age of 10.  Bitten by the theatre bug, she performed in summer theatre productions, sang in school choirs and began piano lessons so that she could accompany her school and church youth choirs.  Melanie was an active Thespian in her high school drama program.  She attended the University of Central Arkansas, where she majored in Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology with a minor in Special Education.  She returned to Panama after graduation in 1980, to get married and begin her teaching career as a K-8 Music teacher at St. Mary’s Parochial school.  Music continued to be her hobby as she performed in several community theatre productions at the Theatre Guild and the Pacific Theatre Arts Center.  In 1984 she began her career with the Department of Defense Dependent Schools.   In 1997 she received a Silver public service award for her contributions to the Panama Canal community.  In 1999 she received a Lifetime Theatre Guild membership for her work as President of the Theatre Guild having directed more than twenty musicals.  Melanie won two FORSCOM awards for acting and musical direction.  When the military bases in Panama closed in 1999, Melanie and her family transferred to Okinawa Japan where she continued to volunteer with the community theatre program “Pacific Okinawa Players”, as well as serve as the concert accompanist for the secondary schools.  She served as President of the POPS board of directors and directed the music for over thirty shows.  In 2011 she received a Lifetime Membership award from the POPS organization (Pacific Okinawa Players).  Melanie shares her love of music and theatre with her multi-talented husband Fred.  They will celebrate 44 years of marriage this December.   After 38 years of serving the military connected students, Melanie retired and moved to The Villages in 2022. She was thrilled to be invited to join Bach With A Beat by member Lois Young, whom she knew in Okinawa!  Melanie is a proud mother of two wonderful sons, two beautiful daughters in law, and three precious grandchildren.