Laura Melton

Laura Melton is a Professor of Piano and Chair of Music Performance Studies at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). She holds positions in the College of Musical Arts, where she oversees performance programs and teaches piano. Melton is an internationally acclaimed pianist with performances spanning Asia, Europe, South America, and the US. She has collaborated with renowned orchestras such as the National Symphony Orchestra (Kennedy Center) and the Freiburg Musikhochschulorchester. Her recordings, including the Naxos American Classics Series CD Solo Piano Works of Sebastian Currier, have received critical acclaim from Gramophone and The New York Times.

Educational Background: B.A. from University of Maryland (student of Nelita True), M.M. from University of Southern California (under John Perry), Ph.D. from Rice University (graduate fellow and teaching assistant to John Perry). She also earned a Solistendiplom in Germany as a Fulbright Scholar, studying under Robert Levin at Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Freiburg.

Research & Performance: A dedicated chamber musician, Melton has participated in festivals like Ravinia, Aspen, Sarasota, and European festivals in Holland, Switzerland, Germany, and Greece. Her performances emphasize contemporary and classical repertoire, with a focus on collaborative music-making.

Teaching: Her students have gained admission to prestigious institutions such as Curtis Institute, Juilliard, and Eastman. She previously taught at Interlochen Arts Camp (12 summers) and Idyllwild Arts Academy in California before joining BGSU in 1999. Her pedagogical approach blends technical mastery with artistic expression.

Labs/Teams: Actively involved in BGSU's Music Performance Studies initiatives, though specific lab/team names are not mentioned. She leads faculty performances and curriculum development in piano and chamber music.