Dr. Melissa Gerber Knecht is Professor of Music at Hillsdale College. She is a performing musician and string specialist. She has performed as a member of various orchestras and chamber groups both in the United States and abroad including: the Florida Orchestra (assistant principal), American Chamber Orchestra (Chicago), Spoleto Festival of the Two Worlds in Italy and Charleston, S.C. (principal viola), Filharmonica de Caracas, Toledo Symphony and a former member of the Lydian String Quartet (Ann Arbor). As a string specialist, Dr. Knecht has participated as music director, instructor, chamber music coach, and guest clinician for both public and private teaching institutions at all levels. She is a frequent clinician for the ASTA national conferences and is presently the Director of MASTA Michigan Solo Competition. Knecht has served on the faculty at Interlochen Fine Arts Camp, and as educational consultant for the Toledo Symphony. Her research interests include music perception and learning. She has published in American String Teachers’ Association Journal, MASTA Notes and Music Education (UK). Awards include the Emily Daugherty Teaching Award and Who’s Who in America. She has recently completed a book titled Developing Your Musical Mental Map. Dr. Knecht graduated from the University of Michigan with high distinction, earned her MM from Indiana University and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. She has studied with Donald McInnes, Yizhak Schotten, Jerry Horner, Mimi Zweig and Paul Kantor.