MELERensemble
about us
The MELERensemble brings together musicians from diverse cultural and musical backgrounds, whose collective experience spans six continents. This rich tapestry of perspectives informs their artistic practice, from programming choices that celebrate both canonical and underrepresented works to their commitment to creating inclusive musical spaces. The ensemble is dedicated to educating new generations of musicians and music lovers in diverse settings, blending their unique backgrounds through collaborations ranging from the standard canon of repertoire to unusual and rarely performed chamber works. Passionate about community engagement and education, the ensemble invites audiences to become active participants in the concert experience, promoting social causes, art as activism, and multidisciplinary collaborative performances.
The ensemble has performed at prestigious venues and festivals including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Park Lane Series at London Southbank Centre, Lakes Area Music Festival in Minnesota, Washington Performing Arts, Missouri River Festival, Amadeus Concerts, Bard Spiegeltent, Hudson Opera House, Rockport Chamber Music Festival, and Cabrillo College.
The ensemble's commitment to music education and community outreach has been recognized with the prestigious McGraw-Hill Robert Sherman Award for Music Education and Community Outreach, which led to their radio debut on WQXR. Their dedication to community building has led them to serve as Artist-in-Residence at 23Arts in the Catskills, Grace Church in The Plains, Virginia, and Guild Hall, where they received mentorship from renowned artist Laurie Anderson. Beyond their artistic pursuits, the MELERensemble demonstrates their commitment to service through benefit performances, including fundraisers for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, embodying their belief in music as a force for social good.
The name of the group comes from the French word mêler, meaning "to combine", reflecting their approach to blending works of varied instrumentations and bringing together diverse musical elements.