We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Mandel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, what’s your definition for success?
For myself, success is a dynamic, ever-changing, multifaceted feeling representing my ability to lean into the strengths of my unique experiences and inspirations as I embark on my journey making meaningful connections and allowing both myself and others to thrive at every part of their journey in the pursuit of success. For myself, when I think of success I think of my grandmother – a lifelong educator for the deaf – my grandmother’s work, connecting with young deaf students teaching American Sign Language, allowed them to thrive within their educational environment and acquire the keys for success. Many years later, these students have been empowered by her gracious efforts in giving them the gift of education and have found great success in pursuit of their own goals. Paying homage to her empathetic nature within my current work as the Berklee College of Music Business Club President, I have dedicated my time in this position this past Spring by encouraging and empowering students to follow their music business industry dreams by giving them an opportunity to connect with executives at Warner Music Group and United Masters on a NYC Industry Music Trip. For now, I am honored to say at this point in my career I have found success and I’m looking forward to my future endeavors as I continue to redefine what success means to me!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am hugely inspired by my musical family – my father, grandfather, and uncle who were all public school music educators who encouraged my vastly expansive music tastes – one of which has become my favorite to sing – 70s/80s music. As a musician, my huge love for 70s/80s music has always shaped my vocal style which has been compared to the likes of the great Karen Carpenter whose unique inflections and vocal quality have made her voice stand the test of time. I ultimately want to redefine what it means to be inspired by the greats of the past and reinvent that music into today’s new music landscape! I currently have some 70s style music in the works that I hope to have released soon. Stay tuned!
However, the most fulfilling part of my personal music journey has been in the face of my toughest battles having watched both my dad and grandmother grapple with cancer and additionally, my most meaningful singing experiences that have inspired my current career philosophy of “understanding the artist from the artist’s perspective.” My philosophy is rooted deeply in my love of performance and experiencing the energetic flow of relationships of the performing world so that I can also effectively approach my love of the business side of the industry through a better, more empathetic and healing filled lens. Before Berklee, I had the incredible honor of being a soloist at the MOM Cultural Center in Budapest, Hungary as part of a U.S. European Tour Choir music trip where I sang in famous places in Germany, Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic especially made possible with the financial support of my grandmother – knowing the importance of this trip for myself and selflessly signing the check while on her deathbed from cancer. In Prague, an incredible moment of music, forming a strong bridge between music, language and culture occurred when our U.S. Tour Choir had the opportunity (with translation), to sing together with a group of Polish students the song Hallelujah in English. This bittersweet moment – reminiscent especially of my grandmother’s life’s work as an educator for the deaf – was made even more meaningful as I was reminded by her nature to empower her students in their pursuit of their dreams. Ultimately, I have learned that your experiences shape your unique perspective and make you “YOU” so lean into them so that you can offer the world your gifts in whatever you decide to pursue!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I can’t really choose between two great cities I have spent a lot of time in – Boston and New York! So, I’d love to tell you some great local spots in both that you could definitely see in a week! In Boston, I’d recommend seeing an awesome classical concert at Boston Symphony Orchestra or some of the current and older music stars at TD Garden. Shout out to an amazing Journey and Toto concert that I saw at TD Garden last year! Boston also has some amazing photo spots in the Seaport district and also at the Charles River Esplanade in the Back Bay area! Also, you should check out the famed Newbury Street that has some great local shops and eateries! In New York, I’d recommend seeing some amazing world-class music at the famed Carnegie Hall and also some awesome jazz clubs including Birdland! Also, for tourist sake, I highly encourage photo ops in some of the biggest skyscrapers such as The Empire State Building!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I want to dedicate this shoutout to my entire incredible family! On the music side, I want to specifically thank my dad, grandfather and uncle who have inspired me musically in pursuing a professional music career! Further great thanks to my grandmother whose empathy has empowered me to find the deeper meaning in connecting music and audiences with its healing nature! However, in this specific shoutout, I want to recognize my mom, whose persistence and organized nature has encouraged me to thrive both on the business and performance side in taking carefully calculated steps as I move closer to pursuing my music industry dreams. Thank you all! I am honored to be continuing the legacy of such amazing musicians through my passionate business sense and musical prowess!

Website: https://www.melodiesbymelissa.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodiesbymelissa/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodiesbymelissa

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0DFBSdvFjWMepXTSgveoqQ

Other: Stay up to date with all things business and singing! – https://linktr.ee/melodiesbymelissa

Image Credits
Blaine Mandel, United Masters, Warner Music Group, Berklee Music Business Club,

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