Melodia Mae Rinaldi is a conductor, performer, and educator of the performing arts in the DMV. She serves as the Music Director of the Gaithersburg Chorus and leads various programs at the Arts Barn. Melodia was recently appointed as the Music Director of the Smithsonian Associates Chorus. As a certified educator and coach, she teaches music and theatre to all ages, specialising in vocal training, music literacy, and artistic growth as an Artist in Residence at Barbara Ingram School for the Arts and in many community theatre and opera productions. Melodia performs with LUX Choir and serves with the Music Ministry of the Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes in Washington, D.C.
melodiarinaldi.com
Melodia Mae Rinaldi is a passionate conductor, performer, and fine arts educator dedicated to musical excellence and vocal wellness as the artistic director of the Gaithersburg Chorus of Maryland and the Smithsonian Associates Chorus of Washington, D.C.
She earned her Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Ithaca College with Dr. Janet Galvàn and her Bachelor’s in PreK-12 General and Vocal Music Education from Towson University. During her studies, Melodia completed extensive education internships in and around the Baltimore area, honing her skills in vocal instruction and ensemble leadership.
A dedicated teaching artist, Melodia develops and instructs music, dance, drama, and design curricula for theatre and music programs throughout the Baltimore/D.C. area, namely the Gaithersburg Arts Barn in Kentlands, MD.
Melodia Rinaldi is an Artist in Residence at the Barbara Ingram School of the Arts Theatre Department, where she has a voice studio of 35 Musical Theatre Majors, guiding the young performers in vocal technique and artistic expression. She also teaches Music Theory through a lens of informed Historical context through carefully selected repertoire. Known for her versatility in vocal styles and teaching methods, she is a sought-after coach for classical, contemporary, and popular vocalists alike.
In addition to her work as an educator and conductor, Melodia manages the Young Artist Competition at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, providing aspiring musicians with performance opportunities and professional development through connecting with local professionals to serve as adjudicators. She is a frequent adjudicator and clinician for various competitions and festivals, offering feedback and guidance to vocalists and performing ensembles.
Melodia has been appointed the music director for numerous community theatre productions such as "Something Rotten!," 'They're Playing Our Song," and "The Pirates of Penzance," bringing her expertise in vocal coaching and ensemble direction to local performances of musical theatre and opera.
Melodia has performed with companies such as Young Victorian Lyric Opera Company and Rockville Musical Theatre. She has been recognised with numerous awards, grants, and scholarships. She regularly performs with ensembles such as LUX Choir and with the Music Ministry of the Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes in Washington, D.C. She was previously selected to sing in the Professional Choral Institute at the Aspen Summer Music Festival, collaborating with the Grammy Award-winning ensemble Seraphic Fire.
As a lifelong student dedicated to professional development, she was a member of the inaugural cohort of the Kansas City Conducting Institute in the Summer of 2026 under the tutelage of Charles Bruffy, Paul Crabb, Jo-Michael Scheibe, and her mentor, Dr. Janet Galván.
For inquiries, contact melodiarinaldi@gmail.com or visit melodiarinaldi.com.