Melanie Watson

Horn

Melanie H. Watson has served as 4th Horn with the Piedmont Wind Symphony since 2021. Additionally, she has performed with the Salisbury Symphony on 4th Horn since 2015 and with the Western Piedmont Symphony on 2nd Horn since 2023. 

Melanie began her musical career as an undergraduate student at Catawba College (’12) and continued on to East Carolina University (’18) to receive her Masters in Music. Prior to her current performing appointments, she performed with the Unifour Brass Ensemble and the Johnson City Symphony. She continues to maintain an active freelance performing career, substituting for local orchestras, participating in small ensembles, and premiering new music.  

In addition to her performance career, Melanie juggles a full-time career as a music educator in the public schools. She has served as the Band Director at Starmount Middle School in Northwestern North Carolina since 2022.  During her time at Starmount, Melanie has seen a 50% increase in students involved in the band program and was recognized as Starmount Middle’s Teacher of the Year in 2023-2024. 

Melanie resides in North Wilkesboro with her husband, Keegan, and two dogs, Bella and Lia, and is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her first child in October 2024.