About
About
biography
Melody Stroth received her Master of Music degree in piano performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. While at the Conservatory Ms. Stroth studied with Richard Cass and served as accompanist for the Opera Workshop/Musical Theatre class (chosen by audition). Ms. Stroth is former president of the Conservatory Alumni Board.
Melody received her Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance (magna cum laude) from Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Studying with Charlotte Martin, Ms. Stroth received the Marion Elbert Patterson Piano Award, the Bisonette Glee Club Gold Award, was a member of the American Guild of Organists, SAI, and was elected to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
An established professional pianist, organist and piano teacher, Melody Stroth is a member of Kansas City Music Teachers Association (where she formerly served as president), a member of Kansas Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association. She is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM). She is also a member (and Past President) of the Federated Teachers of Music and Fine Arts of Greater Kansas City. This organization is associated with the National Federation of Music Clubs. It was through this national organization that Ms. Stroth received the first ever Ouida Keck Award for private piano teachers in 2004. This national award is given to teachers who demonstrate superior teaching in the private studio and wish to further enhance their teaching skills. Her most recent award is from the Kawai Piano organization and comes with the use of a grand piano in her studio. She already owned one grand piano, so now she has two grands, side by side. In August of 2021, she was featured in a television news story about this award.
Ms. Stroth has also had many student winners on the local, state and national level. Her students are often chosen to play for visiting master teachers.
As a performer, Ms. Stroth is currently pianist/organist at Prairie Baptist Church. She is frequently called upon for weddings, funerals, church programs, and accompanying all over the metropolitan area. She is a part of the eclectic group called Vivant and is a member of the cello/piano Ad Adstra Duo with her cellist partner Eman Chalshotori. They recorded a CD called Winterlude in 2020.
education
- Master of Music in Piano Performance -- Conservatory of Music, University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance--Oklahoma Baptist University; Graduated magna cum laude
- Major teachers: Richard Cass, Charlotte Martin
Awards
- 2021 Kawai Medallion Teacher Award
- 2016 Steinway Top Teacher Award
- 2010 KMTA (Kansas Music Teachers Association) Outstanding Teacher of the Year
- 2010 Missouri Federation of Music Clubs Church Musician of the Year
- 2004 National Ouida Keck Award for private piano teachers given by the National Federation of Music Clubs
- Student Winners: Stillman-Kelley Award from the National Federation of Music Clubs (2005), KMTA state winners,
- KCMTA Concerto Competition winner (2010), Christy Dolan Concerto Scholarship winners, both KCMTA and
- Federated Teachers master class participants and camp scholarship winners, other honors.
Member
- Music Teachers National Association
- Kansas Music Teachers Association
- Kansas City Music Teachers Association, Former President
- Federated Teachers of Music and Fine Art of Greater Kansas City, Former President, former state (Missouri) 2nd Vice-President
- Sigma Alpha Iota
“Melody...this beautiful pianist, this 'Wonder Woman of Music' whose touch is so wonderful and delicate and musical, got more out of that arrangement than I ever thought was in it! She did a wonderful thing.”
praise for melody
-Ken Medema, upon hearing one of his arrangements played for the first time
"To know Melody is to love Melody. She is a woman of wit, charm, integrity and an engaging laugh. Each time I’ve worked with her at her church, she has played the piano exquisitely. She is well-organized and thoroughly prepared. She plays artfully and from the heart. It is obvious to me she loves people and I count it a privilege to call her my friend."
praise for melody
- Mark Hayes, Composer, Arranger, Pianist
"Melody Stroth is a first rate professional musician. It is very fortunate for her many students that she has chosen this teaching career in which she has such outstanding success. Because of her own remarkable performing talent and her exceptionally lively musical curiosity, she is able to bring to her teaching the resources of contemporary pedagogical insights as well as the practical aspects of preparing the student for public performance. Consequently, her studio ranks in the very top of the best in this area. Her students are often winners in competition, both regional and national. Their playing is remarkable for solid and artistic preparation with true musical sensitivity."
praise for melody
- Richard cass, pianist and teacher
"We already know how wonderful of a teacher you are, but today we were blown away by the talent displayed by each and every one of your students. We feel so incredibly fortunate to get to learn from you. It is clear that you have the talent, heart and dedication to bring out the best in all of your students while still magically keeping the joy and love in the music you teach.”
praise for melody
- Heather Rogge
“Melody...this beautiful pianist, this 'Wonder Woman of Music' whose touch is so wonderful and delicate and musical, got more out of that arrangement than I ever thought was in it! She did a wonderful thing.”
praise for melody
-KEN MEDEMA, UPON HEARING ONE OF HIS ARRANGEMENTS PLAYED FOR THE FIRST TIME
"To know Melody is to love Melody. She is a woman of wit, charm, integrity and an engaging laugh. Each time I’ve worked with her at her church, she has played the piano exquisitely. She is well-organized and thoroughly prepared. She plays artfully and from the heart. It is obvious to me she loves people and I count it a privilege to call her my friend."
praise for melody
- MARK HAYES, COMPOSER, ARRANGER, PIANIST
"Because of her own remarkable performing talent and her exceptionally lively musical curiosity, she is able to bring to her teaching the resources of contemporary pedagogical insights as well as the practical aspects of preparing the student for public performance. Consequently, her studio ranks in the very top of the best in this area. Her students are often winners in competition, both regional and national."
praise for melody
- RICHARD CASS, PIANIST AND TEACHER
Let's create Music Together
services offered
piano lessons
COLLABORATIVE PIANIST
Monthly tuition rates for weekly 30, 45, and 60-minute piano lessons for all levels of skills.
Accompaniment offered for district and state solo and ensemble performances.
