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 Missouri Flute Society Festival, National Flute Association Convention, Mid-South Flute Festival, Make Music New York Festival, West Virginia University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Western Kentucky University. As an orchestral musician, Dr. Keeling has served as principal flutist, piccoloist, and soloist with orchestras such as 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), and The Quarantine Tapes (2020) 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
As an educator, Dr. Keeling is currently an adjunct professor at Western Kentucky University, teaching courses in music education and music history, and also has experience teaching undergraduate flute lessons, woodwind methods courses, and coaching chamber ensembles. She has also taught K-12 music for seven years and has maintained a private studio for over 15 years. Her book, 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.
melissa@melissakeeling.com
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 Missouri Flute Society Festival, National Flute Association Convention, Mid-South Flute Festival, Make Music New York Festival, West Virginia University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Western Kentucky University. As an orchestral musician, Dr. Keeling has served as principal flutist, piccoloist, and soloist with orchestras such as 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), and The Quarantine Tapes (2020) 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
As an educator, Dr. Keeling is currently an adjunct professor at Western Kentucky University, teaching courses in music education and music history, and also has experience teaching undergraduate flute lessons, woodwind methods courses, and coaching chamber ensembles. She has also taught K-12 music for seven years and has maintained a private studio for over 15 years. Her book, 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.
melissa@melissakeeling.com
"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
