Melissa Pausina
660 Tete Lours Drive #3, Mandeville,LA
Summary
Dynamic and student-focused educational leader and award winning composer with over 20 years of experience in teaching, curriculum development, program implementation, and fostering a culture of academic excellence.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Teacher-Music
St. Tammany Parish Public School System
08.2023 - Current
- Designed curriculum and lesson plans to educate 600+ students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.
- Designed interdisciplinary units that connected music with ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies.
- Co-founder of Chess Club
- Crisis Team Committee, member
- Master Schedule Committee, member
- Duty Committee, member
- Grade Level Chair-Enrichment
Teacher
Northlake Academy of Music
08.2018 - 01.2025
- Provided beginner to advanced private piano instruction to students ages 4 to adult. Increased student enrollment by 10%.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
Chess Instructor
Northshore Preparatory Academy
09.2021 - 05.2023
- Implemented scholastic chess program for academically gifted students in grades 2nd to 7th.
- Enhanced students'' strategic thinking by teaching advanced chess techniques and tactics.
Adjunct Music Faculty
Baton Rouge Community College
08.2016 - 12.2017
- Member of Faculty Senate
- Taught Music Appreciation and Music Theory
Lecturer of Music Theory
Tulane University
12.2010 - 01.2013
- Supervised two graduate teaching assistants per semester
- Awarded Special Initiative Grant from Newcomb College Institute
- Designed and taught undergraduate Music Theory Curriculum
- Courses Taught; Harmony, Advanced Harmony, Tonal Analysis, 18th-19th Centuries, 20th Century Theory, Orchestration, History of European Music to 1800
Graduate Instructor
Temple University
09.2004 - 08.2010
- Taught undergraduate and graduate level courses
- Courses Taught: Philosophy of Musical Form, Aesthetics of Music, Computer Music 1 & 2, Composition 1& 2, Aural Theory 1 & 2, Fundamentals of Music Theory
Education
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA05-2025
Doctor of Musical Arts - Composition
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA08.2010
Master of Arts - Composition
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA05.2003
Bachelor of Music - Composition
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA08.2000
Skills
- Program Development
- Curriculum Design
- Public Speaking
- Student Needs Assessment
- Critical Thinking
- Relationship Building
Awards & Honors
- Newcomb College Institute, Fellow, 2012
- Composers Conference at Wellesley College, 2012
- American Composers Forum Pascal Gallios Composition Contest, 2009
- Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium, Fellow, 2008
- International New Music Institute, Darmstadt, Germany, Fellow, 2007
- New Generation of American Composers Panel Member, E-Work, Freiburg, Germany, 2005
- Dean Emeritus Tribute Award, Temple University, 2005
- Fellowship/Teaching Assistantship, Temple University, 2004
- The Klein Award for Academic Achievement in Music, Tulane University, 2003
Composition Performances Commissions
- Eluvio for string ensemble, New Orleans Chamber Orchestra, UNO Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, 11/13/21
- Eluvio for string quartet, The Momenta Quartet, The Stone, New York, New York, 04/05/06
- Eluvio for string quartet, Faubourg Quartet, Rogers Memorial Chapel, Tulane University, New Orleans, 10/15/12
- Eluvio for string quartet, Momenta Quartet, Rock Hall, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 05/13/06
- Bartleby a chamber opera for tenor, baritone & string quartet, The Momenta Quartet, Curated by Composers Collaborative Inc. at the Cornelia Street Cafe, New York City, 08/29/09
- 2Promise for guitar duo, Cygnus Ensemble, Advent Lutheran Church, New York, New York, 05/01/09
- Beyond the Veil for bassoon & piano, Pascal Gallois and Charles Abramovic, Rock Hall Philadelphia, PA, 10/31/09
- Senses Designated Place for piano, Robert Kyr, 0regon Bach Festival Composers Symposium, Eugene, Oregon, 07/08/07
- Reflections of Innocence for oboe, piano, & percussion, Ensemble Surplus, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 02/11/05
- Reflections of Innocence for oboe, piano, & percussion, Ensemble Surplus, E-Werk, Freiburg, Germany, 10/17/05
- Metairie for computer-realized sound, dance, & video, Ethical Society, Philadelphia, PA, 04/05/07
- Away, Away for baritone voice, clarinet, & harp, Philadelphia Philharmonic Poetry Project, Philadelphia, PA, 05/12/06
- This is That for computer-realized sound & dance, Glue Performance Series, Kumquat Dance Center, Philadelphia, PA, 04/02/05
- String Quartet No. 1, The College Music Society Regional Conference, University of Southern Mississippi, 02/20/03
Affiliations
- Society for Music Theory
- American Composers Forum
- International Computer Music Association
- Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States
Timeline
Teacher-Music
St. Tammany Parish Public School System
08.2023 - Current
Chess Instructor
Northshore Preparatory Academy
09.2021 - 05.2023
Teacher
Northlake Academy of Music
08.2018 - 01.2025
Adjunct Music Faculty
Baton Rouge Community College
08.2016 - 12.2017
Lecturer of Music Theory
Tulane University
12.2010 - 01.2013
Graduate Instructor
Temple University
09.2004 - 08.2010
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
Southeastern Louisiana University
Doctor of Musical Arts - Composition
Temple University
Master of Arts - Composition
Tulane University
Bachelor of Music - Composition
Louisiana State University
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