Melissa Wang (MM Percussion Studies, MM Composition), a student of Bonnie Whiting and Huck Hodge, presents "The Beauty in All," a recital presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Music Degree in Percussion Performance at the University of Washington. With Kaisho Barnhill, Alex Fang, Luke Fitzpatrick, Abigail George, Simon Harty, Taryn Marks, Rachel Reyes, Justin Zeitlinger, and the UW Percussion Ensemble.
Program
The Beauty in All
Self-Accusation (2014): Kate Neal (b. 1972) Text by Peter Handke (b. 1942)
Danza del Saqsampillo (2007): Gabriela Lena Frank (b. 1972)
Taryn Marks, marimba
The Golden Harvest (2023): Marcin Pączkowski (b. 1983)
Luke Fitzpatrick, violin; Kaisho Barnhill, piano
Once in a Blue Moon (2024): Simon Harty (b. 2001) Melissa Wang (b. 1999)
Simon Harty, percussion
Musica Spolia (2021): Katherine Balch (b. 1991)
Rachel Reyes, flute; Justin Zeitlinger, violin; Alex Fang, piano
Hemispherectomy (2024): Abigail George (b. 2001) Melissa Wang (b. 1999)
Abigail George, drum set
Daidai Iro - Orange (2013): Andy Akiho (b. 1979)
UW Percussion Ensemble
Biography
Melissa Wang is a composer, educator, and percussionist. She is currently based in the Chicago metropolitan area, teaching percussion at Waubonsee Community College, Edge Music Academy, and Downers Grove North High School.
Melissa studied at the University of Washington (UW), studying Percussion Performance with the interest in theatrical percussion, as well as Composition with the interest in incorporating unconventional choreographies in existing genres such as choreography in the Wind Band repertoire. She received the Bachelor of Music with emphases in Percussion Performance and Instrumental Education at Northern Illinois University (NIU), under the direction of Dr. Gregory Beyer and Mr. Ben Wahlund. She received the Associate in Fine Arts in Music at College of DuPage (COD) under the direction of Mr. Ben Wahlund, Dr. Tom Tallman, Mr. Lee Kesselman, and Dr. Kenneth Paoli.
Her accomplishments include receiving the Research, Engagement and Academic Diversity Grant for her performance web series, “Percussion Works by Women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+", receiving the 2022 Maude Nicholson Dean's Award for outstanding artistry, contributions, and academic achievement in Northern Illinois University School of Music, and receiving first place in the 2019 Jack Stone Award for New Music with her winning piece "Downright Up and Left" performed by Line Upon Line Percussion Ensemble. Her works have been performed by Platypus Ensemble, Seattle Modern Orchestra, University of Washington Symphonic Band, and the University of Washington Modern Music Ensemble. Additionally, she performed percussion with Inverted Space in the 2023 Journey to the Black Lodge Tour, the 2017 Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps, and The Esoterics in Seattle for their 2024 Splendor & Solace concerts and recordings.