Melissa Deal has been a member of the Indianapolis Symphony since 2020. She has previously performed with the Cleveland Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Festival appearances include the Verbier Festival, Spoleto Festival, Aspen Music Festival, and National Repertory Orchestra. A career highlight is her performance as soloist with the Orquésta Sinfónica Nacíonal de Cuba in Havana, sponsored by the Nachito Herrera Foundation.
An active chamber musician and educator, Melissa has led educational outreach programs for the Cleveland Chamber Society and the Strings Music Festival. She holds degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and Rice University. Her principal teachers were Kathleen Winkler, William Preucil, Sally O’Reilly, Nancy Oliveros and Mary West.
Melissa hails from Chanhassen, Minnesota, where she competed with her four siblings for time at the piano. She ultimately prevailed and remains the only professional musician in the family. Outside of music, she enjoys solving New York Times crosswords and playing fetch with her dog, Jasper.