Paula Melton

Paula Melton
453-2541
melton@siu.edu

Paula Melton, a violin scholarship recipient and graduate of the University of Illinois, studied with John Kendall at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville (SIUE) during high school.  At the graduate level, Paula completed extensive long-term Suzuki training with John Kendall at SIUE.   A resident of southern Illinois for over twenty-five years, Paula Melton is a faculty member of Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) School of Music. Paula Melton, recognized as a master string educator, is the Director of the SIUC Community Music School, SIUC Egyptian Suzuki School, Meridian Illinois String Program, and John Thomas String Program. Committed to the art of teaching strings and the development of string programs for children in under-served regions, Paula designed an innovative approach to establishing string programs in public schools.  Recognized for excellence by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, the John Thomas String Program, taught in Thomas School, Carbondale Elementary District 95, was designated as the state model for the “2006 Illinois Violin Initiative”. Paula is co-founder and Director of Cape Hatteras Culture Camp, a two-week, multi-arts summer camp located on the outer banks of North Carolina.  Paula Melton performs violin professionally in orchestras including the Illinois Symphony, Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Southern Illinois Symphony and Paducah Symphony Orchestra. As a public speaker, Paula joined the nationally acclaimed Cornerstone Chorale and Brass for the 2009, sixteen-city tour which culminated in a concert at Carnegie Hall, New York City.  Paula is also featured as a fund-raiser and advocate for children’s arts on live and taped radio and television programs throughout the Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky region. In her spare time, Paula is a professional portrait artist, open water swimmer and avid kayaker.