24/08/2026
MEET THE ADJUDICATOR - PIANOFORTE
Melissa Buchholz trained at the Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education (now University of Southern Queensland), graduating with the Award for Best Performer and the Dean’s Trophy for Solfege. She holds Licentiates in both piano and recorder from Trinity College London, as well as a Fellowship, and achieved her AMusA with distinction.
In 2023, Melissa was appointed to the international examining panel of Trinity College London, a role that takes her around the world assessing musicians and supporting high standards in music education.
With a teaching career spanning more than 30 years, Melissa specialises in piano and woodwind and has guided students across a wide range of instruments to advanced levels. She has performed at the iconic Sydney Opera House on multiple occasions, toured the UK, and was honoured as Young Citizen of the Year for her contributions to music in the community.
Melissa has directed large-scale musical events and regularly presents workshops across rural and regional Australia, supporting community music-making and developing emerging performers. As a performer, she appears in a variety of ensembles and has an extensive background in music theatre, with credits including The Boy from Oz, We Will Rock You, Kinky Boots and The Pirates of Penzance, among others.
In recent years she has toured with Vanessa Quai, Julee-anne Bell, and the touring production Queens of Song. She is also the founder of MB Backing Tracks, which provides high-quality accompaniment tracks to clients around the world.
