Melissa Spraggs
Performance - Choral Conducting
Office: TC 416
Email: mspraggs@uwo.ca
Melissa is pursuing her DMA in Choral Conducting at the Don Wright Faculty of Music, studying with Dr. Tracy Wong. Melissa is passionate about singing and has remained an active choral musician throughout her career. She has sung under Dr. Mark Ramsay, Dr. Jamie Hillman, Rollo Dillworth, Carrie Tennant, Dr. Andrée Dagenais, Michelle Chyzyk, Dr. Janet Brenneman, and many other esteemed directors. In 2023, she had the honour of singing at Carnegie Hall, representing Brandon’s SATB Choir “Konektis” as a soloist. As a conductor, Melissa has been mentored by Dr. Andrée Dagenais, Rick Heppner-Mueller, Derek Morphy, and Rudy Schellenberg. Melissa’s research interests are focused around music cognition, looking at mimesis and mirror neuron science and their impact on creating positive singing environments.
In 2020, Melissa obtained her Master of Music (Education) Degree from Brandon University. Her research explored strategies for engaging grade 3 boys in singing, under the advisership of Dr. Sheila Scott. Here she earned the Governor General’s Gold Medal and the Brandon University Gold Medal in Master of Music. Her research has been published in the Canadian Music Educator (63.3) and she has presented at numerous Manitoba music education conferences.
Melissa has enjoyed opportunities as Faculty Advisor and Sessional Instructor at the Brandon University School of Music, most recently directing the BU Concert Choir. She has taught courses in the areas of Choral Studies and Elementary Music Education. Melissa obtained her Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba in 2012 and her Bachelor of Music from Canadian Mennonite University in 2010, studying voice with Henriette Schellenberg.
Melissa taught K-12 music and choir for over a decade in the Manitoba public school system. Her programs incorporated choral singing, Kodály, Orff, handbells, ukuleles, and African drumming. She has directed adults, children, and youth in community choirs, as well as serving on local boards that support the arts. Melissa currently sits on the board of the Manitoba Kodály Society. Melissa was privileged to direct the Central Manitoba Choral Association’s Grade 4-6 Junior Choral Workshop Choir in October 2023.
