Lydia MelleckContact: lyd.muse@yahoo.co.uk

Pianist and Piano Teacher

"Lydia is a wonderful teacher and a very gifted pianist. K loved having her as his teacher and even now speaks about her. I have no hesitation in recommending her to you".
(Pupil's mother).

Lydia trained as a pianist at Trinity College of Music. She has made extensive appearances as concerto soloist, recitalist, solo and choral accompanist, piano duettist, musical director and chamber music pianist. She has also played on ballet and film soundtracks.

Regarded as a poetic pianist, Lydia has captivated audiences with imaginative recital programmes, especially on cruises. In her original approach to concert programming, she enjoys the freedom to explore her fascination with lesser-known repertoire and loves mixing composers of classical, Standards and film music. Acclaim from audiences ("Your concerts were the highlight of my cruise!") led to Lydia's CD The Romantic Style of Lydia Melleck.

Lydia strives to inspire people of all ages in their love of the piano. She has taught piano and musicianship in the Junior London College of Music at Thames Valley University, as well as the University of East London, and now has a thriving private practice.

Lydia worked as a music therapist in various psychiatric settings for 25 years, before training as a counsellor. She is a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy.

Musical Tales for Children

Narration is by Conti and Wilson.
This includes: The Emperor’s New Clothes, Poulenc’s Babar the Elephant, Oona and the Giant, and Tchaikovsky’s Album for the Young, with story by Wilson.
Buy Musical Tales etc. for £9.99 from the Gift of Music.
Or Tel: 0844 248 9060
Track Listing:

1. The Emperor's New Clothes, Read by Tom Conti.
2. The Playroom, Music by Pyotr Il'itsch Tchaikovsky - Played by Lydia Melleck - Words by Kara Wilson - Read by Tom Conti.
3. Oona and the Giant - Read by Tom Conti.
4. Babar the Elephant, Music by Francis Poulenc - played by Lydia Melleck - Words by Jean de Brunhoff - performed by Kara Wilson

Accompanist and Duettist

Lydia became the Lieder class accompanist while training at Trinity College of Music. She also played with many different instrumentalists at Trinity, with violinists her favourite. Treasured moments, accompanying violinists, included the master class at the French Institute, with Robert Soetens, to whom Prokofiev dedicated his violin concerti. This spurred her to study the challenging repertoire for violin and piano.

Lydia went on to work as an accompanist to singing teachers at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama for two years. She doubled as a rehearsal pianist for different musical theatre productions.

Lydia won a scholarship to become a repetiteur at the London Opera Centre. She also studied accompaniment with Geoffrey Parsons, while preparing for a competition open to singers, instrumentalists and accompanists, which she won. The prize was to give a recital at the Purcell Room, where, as well as the Queen Elizabeth Hall, she has appeared since many times, accompanying other solo singers and choirs.

Lydia began playing piano duets with her mother at a tender age and still loves this repertoire. She is currently diversifying into piano duos for two pianos, which offer new and exciting musical horizons.

Lydia has been the accompanist for the Hampstead Chamber Choir since its inception, and performs regularly alongside the Choir in concert.