Meadowmount
Cello Faculty
Melissa Kraut
Dr. Melissa Kraut is recognized as one of the leading pedagogues of her generation. Dr. Kraut holds degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music, the University of Iowa and Northwestern University, and has studied with Alan Harris and Hans-Jorgen Jensen. In addition, Dr. Kraut studied in the summers/masterclasses with cellists such as Aldo Parisot, Frank Miller, Yo-yo Ma, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi and David Soyer. She participated in the Aspen Music Festival, Banff Center for the Arts and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival in Europe.
An active performer, Dr. Kraut has led a diverse career on stage, with solo and chamber performances throughout the United States and Europe. Dr. Kraut has held leadership positions in many orchestras, and has played under the baton of conductors such as Sir Georg Solti, Valery Gergiev and Semyon Bychkov.
In the summer, Dr. Kraut teaches at the Meadowmount School of Music, in upstate New York. Prior to teaching at Meadowmount, she was Cello Instructor and Head of Strings at the Interlochen Arts Camp.
Dr. Kraut's students have achieved great success, with top prizes in National and International competitions. Students of Dr. Kraut have won the Gold Medal and Audience Award at the Gaspar Cassado Competition in Hachioji, Japan, Grand Prize in the Music Teachers National Association Competition, First Prize in the American String Teacher's Association, Grand Prize in the Walgreen's Competition, as well as prizes in many local and regional competitions.
Dr. Kraut lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio with her 2 daughters.