MOREY HORN STUDIO

BIO

Melissa Morey is a free-lance horn player and teacher. In addition to running Morey Horn Studio, she is also currently the Operations Manager for Minnesota Youth Symphonies. She was the instructor of horn at Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter) for 10 years. Morey is a sought-after instructor, presenter, and adjudicator at music camps, contests, honor ensembles, and schools.

 

Morey holds a Master of Music degree in horn performance and pedagogy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she studied with Douglas Hill; she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal music education (with departmental distinction) from St. Olaf College where she studied horn with Priscilla McAfee and voice with Margaret Eaves-Smith, and was a member/soloist with the St. Olaf Choir, Band, and Orchestra. Morey also studied with Michael Gast, principal horn for the Minnesota Orchestra.

 

She has performed in numerous professional vocal and instrumental groups throughout the Twin Cities region, most notably the Minnesota Orchestra and the Dale Warland Singers, and she has served as the principal horn for Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra since 2006. She was a featured alumni soloist with the St. Olaf College Band (2013), and a faculty soloist with the Gustavus Wind Orchestra (2015) and the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra (2016).

 

Morey lives in Minneapolis with her husband, Nicholas Ellison, and their music-loving pets.

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MY TEACHING STATEMENT

I teach people (through music). I always prioritize the whole person before the musician.

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I believe that mentorship is as big a role in teaching as musical instruction. It is a role I value and take seriously.

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I welcome and affirm students of all backgrounds. I unequivocally state that Black, Indigenous, POC, LGBTQA+, Neuro-diverse, Otherly-abled, and ALL people who suffer under systemic racism, sexism, and oppression MATTER at Morey Horn Studio. I am still learning how to recognize and dismantle my own hetero-white-able-body privilege, but I will always endeavor to improve my words and actions. I strive to be an ally. ALL ARE WELCOME!

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I give each student a wide variety of customized experiences -- solo repertoire, chamber music, music theory, assistance with large ensemble music, audition preparation, etc. I also balance teaching horn technique with mindfulness, reducing performance anxiety and anxiety in general, playing ergonomics (using the body in a healthy and efficient manner), listening, and life/work/school balance.

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​I endeavor to strengthen and encourage players of all ages to learn more about themselves, horn, and music as part of a lifelong journey of self-improvement and exploration.

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MY THANKS

I value all of my teachers and mentors, regardless of how and when they were in my life. But I would like to especially acknowledge my personal lesson teachers: Charlotte Morey (piano, voice), Michael Morey (horn), Hazel Erdmann (piano), Wonne Kroes (piano), Glenys Wignes (voice), Mark Perkins (horn), Priscilla McAfee (horn), Margaret Eaves-Smith (voice), Megan Tillman (voice), Don Hoiness (voice), Michael Gast (horn), Douglas Hill (horn). I would also like to thank all of my professors at St. Olaf College and University of Wisconsin-Madison; all of the many camp conductors, honor group conductors, masterclass guests; and all of my students, who are the best teachers of all.

 

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