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 and the newly founded Luna Women's Chorus of Bethesda. 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 on the Music Ministry as a vocalist for St. Francis Episcopal in Potomac, Maryland.
melodiarinaldi.com
Melodia Mae Rinaldi is a passionate conductor, performer, and fine arts educator from Maryland.
Melodia is dedicated to musical excellence and vocal wellness as the artistic director of the Gaithersburg Chorus, Smithsonian Associates Chorus of Washington, D.C., and the newly founded Luna Women's Chorus in Bethesda, MD.
She earned her Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Ithaca College in 2020 and her Bachelor’s degree in PreK-12 General and Vocal Music Education from Towson University in 2018. 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.
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 herself is a frequent adjudicator and clinician for competitions and festivals, offering insightful feedback and guidance to aspiring vocalists and ensembles.
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.
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 and performs with esteemed ensembles such as LUX Choir of Washington, D.C. and Music Ministry of St. Francis Episcopal in Potomac, Maryland. 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 will be 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.