Helping Musicians Grow Through…
Teaching
Private lessons in piano, voice, organ, theory, and composition.
Conducting
Guest conducting, festivals, clinics, and mentorship.
Composition
Award-winning choral works commissioned and performed nationwide.
Publishing
Professional resources for choir directors and music educators.
Community
Utah Youth Singers and Bel Canto Women’s Chorus.
Mentorship
Professional development for teachers and emerging musicians.
Experience & Expertise
Decades of experience in music education, performance, and composition
Ph.D. in Choral Music Education
Advanced study in music education, choral conducting, rehearsal pedagogy, and vocal development.
Published Author
Author of the two-volume Working with Young Singers series, helping choir directors support healthy, confident young voices.
Award-Winning Composer
First-place ACDA Utah Composition Competition winner whose music has been performed by the BYU Women’s Chorus.
Composer • Scholar • Clinician
Composer, published researcher, adjudicator, editor, workshop presenter, and professional music educator.
A Musical Journey
From student to teacher, conductor, scholar, composer, and mentor.
Education
- University of Utah — B.Mus. in Music Education
- Brigham Young University — M.M. in Music Education, Choral Conducting emphasis
- Michigan State University — Ph.D. in Music Education, Choral Conducting cognate
Teaching
- Public school music educator
- University of Maryland — Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Education
- Private studio — The Music Studio
Creative Work
- Working with Young Singers — Published author (GIA Publications)
- Award-winning compositions
- Score Doctor — Professional score editing
Today
- The Music Studio — Private instruction, conducting & professional mentoring
- Utah Youth Singers — Founder & Artistic Director
- Bel Canto Women’s Chorus — Founder & Artistic Director
- Blue Pearl Music Publishing — Founder, editor & publisher
Education
- University of Utah — B.Mus. in Music Education
- Brigham Young University — M.M. in Music Education, Choral Conducting emphasis
- Michigan State University — Ph.D. in Music Education, Choral Conducting cognate
Teaching
- Public school music educator
- University of Maryland — Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Education
- Private studio — The Music Studio
Creative Work
- Working with Young Singers — Published author (GIA Publications)
- Award-winning compositions
- Score Doctor — Professional score editing
Today
- The Music Studio — Private instruction, conducting & professional mentoring
- Utah Youth Singers — Founder & Artistic Director
- Bel Canto Women’s Chorus — Founder & Artistic Director
- Blue Pearl Music Publishing — Founder, editor & publisher
My Teaching Philosophy
Technical Excellence
Building solid foundations through proper technique and musical understanding
Artistic Expression
Encouraging personal creativity and emotional connection to music
Supportive Environment
Creating a safe space where students can take risks and grow
"Music is not simply a subject to be mastered—it's a way of discovering discipline, creativity, confidence, and joy."
— Dr. Melissa Mills
- Prepare well.
- Teach with excellence.
- Love your students.
- Keep learning.
- Be a faithful steward of what's been entrusted to you.
Books for Children’s Choir Directors
Working with Young Singers offers practical wisdom, educational philosophy, and age-appropriate vocal pedagogy for teachers and conductors who want to help young singers thrive.
Volume One
Working with Young Singers
Educational philosophies and practical guidance from expert children's choir conductors—foundational wisdom for directors shaping young voices.
Children's choir directors, elementary music specialists, and conductors working with developing voices.
Volume Two
Working with Young Singers
A continuation of the series, offering additional insight, repertoire guidance, and resources for conductors, teachers, and young-voice specialists.
Experienced conductors and music educators seeking advanced repertoire guidance and rehearsal strategies for young choirs.
Research & Scholarship
Scholarship & Publications
Dr. Mills’s scholarship explores music education, choral pedagogy, musical identity, performance mindset, and children’s choirs. Her work bridges research and rehearsal, helping music educators think deeply and teach practically.
Working with Young Singers, Volumes 1 & 2
GIA Publications
Journal of Research in Music Education
Peer-reviewed research articles
Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education
Peer-reviewed research articles
Music Educators Journal
Professional publication
ACDA, AERA, Desert Skies & International Symposia
Conference presentations
Why I Wrote Working with Young Singers
Every choir director remembers what it felt like to stand in front of young singers for the first time.
These books grew out of decades of teaching, conducting, experimenting, succeeding, and occasionally failing.
I wanted to create the resource I wish someone had handed me when I first began.
My hope is that these books encourage teachers, strengthen rehearsal techniques, and ultimately help children discover the joy of singing.
— Dr. Melissa Mills
Professional Services
Professional Services for Choirs and Music Educators
Bringing decades of experience to your program through consultation, clinics, and mentorship.
Professional Endorsement
“Dr. Mills is the consummate music educator, bringing to her studio years of dedicated service and experience in solo voice, choral music, beginning & intermediate piano, advanced piano, and organ performance. Her natural ability to connect to students of all ages and skill levels…”
Richard Nobbe
Utah music educator