Melanie Lunardi
BM Voice Performance, DePaul University
Experience: Serving as Voice and Guitar Program Director at Chicago’s Merit School of Music (and even getting to perform with the students from time to time!)
Areas of Interest: Music, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Theatre, Photography, Arts/music festivals, Nonprofit work, Entrepreneurship
Ideal Job in 10 Years: Director of Education for a major symphony or opera. I love the work I do with non-profit arts organizations like Merit, and my goal is to make sure that high quality music education is accessible to any student who wants to learn!
What led you to enroll in the MSLCE program at Northwestern?
I wanted the opportunity to expand on my professional work experience and engage with like-minded peers in a challenging and focused environment. I was thrilled to discover a program so committed to supporting those of us who aim to make a significant impact in creative and artistic fields.
Favorite (song/movie/show/festival/exhibition … )?
One of the best parts about working in a music school is I get to hear a little bit of everything, all the time! Some favorite composers include Mahler, Debussy, Poulenc, Barber, Mozart, and Schubert, but there’s still plenty of room in my life for a little Beyonce and Andrew McMahon.
I just finished WestWorld, which will hopefully tide me over until the next season of Game of Thrones. Of course I can’t deny my not-so-guilty pleasure: Grey’s Anatomy (season 13 and counting…)
What are you most looking forwards to about the MSLCE program?
I am excited to meet people working in other creative fields. My life has revolved around the classical music scene for the last 7-8 years, and I am ready to see what else is happening out in there in the arts community.
What is your favorite Chicago landmark/attraction, or what are you most excited to visit?
I’ll never get tired of driving down Lake Shore Drive in the morning towards that skyline.
If you could have lunch with one person, who would it be?
Honestly, it’s a toss up between Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren. True goddesses among us, I would love to hear their insights into achieving success as women working in creative industries.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Living in Vancouver would be a dream, but I think I could settle for a few other west coast spots in the meantime.
If you had to describe yourself in three words, they would be…
Tenacious, Passionate, Control-Freak
What thought or message would you put in a fortune cookie?
Do not let the fear of tomorrow keep you from a success today.
Where are you from?
Oklahoma City, OK