Bio
melodycooperkw@gmail.com cell: 305 395 0342
Now based in Asheville NC, I am originally from Brooklyn, New York City. My musical story began with the study of classical piano at age 7 and with inspiration from the Leonard Bernstein Young People’s Concerts . I developed a thirst for knowledge and music that has never stopped. In the years since, I’ve had professional training for piano, harp, voice and I’ve also picked up the ukulele. Bypassing the traditional university route, I’ve always gone straight to the source and have studied technique, repertoire, theory, improvisation, solfeggio, harmony,history, languages and attended many masterclasses in all instruments.
In 1972 I moved to Key West, Florida and began working as a professional musician between Key West and NYC. In those days you could hold on to two apartments on a musicians salary!
I was the pianist and vocalist for the jazzy Paradise Big Band for 18 years, was a founding member of the chamber ensemble Bach to Bossa Nova ( I’m crazy about Brazilian music! ),I spent 10 years singing and dancing as “Krissy” in the Motown Revue – The Fabulous Spectrelles, was the music and choir director at the Unity of the Keys Spiritual Center and taught voice privately and at Florida Keys Community College. I also performed solo and in small ensembles for weddings, special events and played every club in Key West, and a few in NYC.
All of this background has given me a very varied repertoire, and a love for all types of music old and new.
In 2017 I moved to Asheville, NC. Since moving here I have played three shows ( The Lion King Jr, Shrek Jr and Mulan Jr ) for the Learning Community School, have performed at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Asheville . I have also played weddings, dinners and or cocktail hours on either harp or piano at The Grove Park Inn, The Biltmore Inn, theCrest Pavillon, The Grand Bohemian Hotel,The Old Farm Golf Club, Twickenham House, Claxton Farm, Belmont Abbey, Country Club of Asheville, Cashiers Golf Club, the Chapel at Cliffs at Glassy, The Farm, Pretty Place Chapel, Inspiration Point, High Vista Country Club, Etowah Country Club, Lindsay Manor, the Knoxville Country Club and other venues.
International Appearances
1992, 1994 Tours of England and Scotland with The Fabulous Spectrelles and our #1 hit single!
1997 Theater Festival Fringe with Torch! An original production
2005 Symphony of Prince George in Canada, BC performing original works by Canadian composer Eric Tompkins.
2008,2009,2014,2015 as part of Project Cancion Española in Madrid, Spain
2012 Barcelona Festival of Song in Barcelona Spain
Theater Experience
As well as roles in musical and dramatic theater, ( a full listing available upon request )Melody has written several one woman shows. “Spanish Rhapsody”, “Songs and Stories” and “Torch!” Spanish Rhapsody is in it's fifth in the series and is based on Melody's studies and performances in Madrid, Grenada and Barcelona.
Torch! ran for 2 years in Key West then at the Edinburgh Theater Festival Fringe (1997)
Jazz and Latin Jazz
Melody has 40 years of experience singing in concerts and nightclubs in the jazz genre. “No matter what else I keep adding and learning to my vocal repertoire , this music will always be a part of my performance roots”. Melody has a CD entitled “Journey Through The Heart” and a new CD in process.
The music of Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and the Caribbean feature strongly in this repertoire.
Inspirational Speaker and Songwriter
Melody has written a catalog of original songs for popular and inspirational music. She is also an accomplished public speaker who is using her performance experience to travel and speak on many motivational topics.
