MELISSA KEELING
Acclaimed for performing repertoire ranging from orchestral literature to electronic music, flutist, composer, and educator Dr. Melissa Keeling is based in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Her music has been described as "revelatory" (The Flutist Quarterly), "the most creative flute writing of 2018 next to Bjork... a delight... stunning and moving” (The Flute View). Melissa is a Trevor James International Flute Artist and an Endorsed Artist by K&K Sound.
Dr. Keeling regularly presents solo and chamber music across the country, appearing as a guest artist and soloist at festivals and universities such as the National Flute Association Convention, Mid-South Flute Festival, Make Music New York Festival, West Virginia University, University of Wyoming, and the Flute Society of Kentucky Festival. As an orchestral musician, Dr. Keeling has served as principal flutist, piccoloist, and soloist with orchestras including the Ureuk Symphony Orchestra, New York Harmonic Band, and the Western Kentucky University Wind Ensemble. She has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and the Firehouse Space in New York City. Her solo albums, sonyq (2010), SUPERSONYQ (2018), The Quarantine Tapes (2020), and Hypersonyq (2023) feature original music for flute with effects pedals.
"Keeling's compositions and her playing represent the full 64-color box of Crayolas while the rest of us are making do with an eight-pack of crayons. Keeling's basic playing is wonderful – lovely, full, and rich tone on flute, piccolo, and alto flute combined with serious technique and clean articulation." — The Flutist Quarterly
In her current position at Western Kentucky University, she has taught courses in music theory, music education, and rock & roll history. Her private studio includes students from all over the world, including Australia, Czech Republic, New York, Florida, New Mexico, Texas, as well as in the local area. Dr. Keeling is also a certified K-12 educator with seven years of public school classroom experience.
She has published two books: The Electric Flute: A Beginner’s Guide to Playing Flute with Effects (2022). The Glissando Flute: Handbook for Composers and Performers (2020) is the first method book for the Glissando Headjoint ever published. She is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda (National Music Honor Society) and the National Flute Association. Dr. Keeling currently serves on the Board of Directors for two non-profit organizations: the Flute Society of Kentucky and the Asbury Park African-American Music Project.
[Melissa's] voice on the flute has a depth and beauty that enrich all the music made with effects... [I] heard a lot of things I've not heard before." — Robert Dick
Dr. Keeling holds degrees from The Graduate Center, CUNY (D.M.A., Music Performance), Middle Tennessee State University (M.A., Music Performance), and Western Kentucky University (B.S., Music Education). She has performed in masterclasses with Michel Debost, Keith Underwood, Alexa Still, Brad Garner, and abroad with Rhonda Larson in Italy. Dr. Keeling studied with Robert Dick, Deanna Little, and Heidi Álvarez.
[email protected]
Dr. Keeling regularly presents solo and chamber music across the country, appearing as a guest artist and soloist at festivals and universities such as the National Flute Association Convention, Mid-South Flute Festival, Make Music New York Festival, West Virginia University, University of Wyoming, and the Flute Society of Kentucky Festival. As an orchestral musician, Dr. Keeling has served as principal flutist, piccoloist, and soloist with orchestras including the Ureuk Symphony Orchestra, New York Harmonic Band, and the Western Kentucky University Wind Ensemble. She has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and the Firehouse Space in New York City. Her solo albums, sonyq (2010), SUPERSONYQ (2018), The Quarantine Tapes (2020), and Hypersonyq (2023) feature original music for flute with effects pedals.
"Keeling's compositions and her playing represent the full 64-color box of Crayolas while the rest of us are making do with an eight-pack of crayons. Keeling's basic playing is wonderful – lovely, full, and rich tone on flute, piccolo, and alto flute combined with serious technique and clean articulation." — The Flutist Quarterly
In her current position at Western Kentucky University, she has taught courses in music theory, music education, and rock & roll history. Her private studio includes students from all over the world, including Australia, Czech Republic, New York, Florida, New Mexico, Texas, as well as in the local area. Dr. Keeling is also a certified K-12 educator with seven years of public school classroom experience.
She has published two books: The Electric Flute: A Beginner’s Guide to Playing Flute with Effects (2022). The Glissando Flute: Handbook for Composers and Performers (2020) is the first method book for the Glissando Headjoint ever published. She is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda (National Music Honor Society) and the National Flute Association. Dr. Keeling currently serves on the Board of Directors for two non-profit organizations: the Flute Society of Kentucky and the Asbury Park African-American Music Project.
[Melissa's] voice on the flute has a depth and beauty that enrich all the music made with effects... [I] heard a lot of things I've not heard before." — Robert Dick
Dr. Keeling holds degrees from The Graduate Center, CUNY (D.M.A., Music Performance), Middle Tennessee State University (M.A., Music Performance), and Western Kentucky University (B.S., Music Education). She has performed in masterclasses with Michel Debost, Keith Underwood, Alexa Still, Brad Garner, and abroad with Rhonda Larson in Italy. Dr. Keeling studied with Robert Dick, Deanna Little, and Heidi Álvarez.
[email protected]
"Music is moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, and life to everything." - Plato
