Melinda Hickman has a passion for helping people work toward their musical goals. She enjoys teaching students of all ages and skill levels, from beginner to very advanced. She believes that every person who wants to learn music can do so, no matter their age, ability, or disability. Her teaching style is to offer encouragement and respect to her students, while working together toward high standards.
Title:
Piano Instructor
Contact:
Private Studio Information:
Studio Policies
Studio Calendar
Accomplishments:
DMA, MM, and BM (summa cum laude) in Piano Performance from University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music
Founder and director of the New Horizons Piano Competition for high school students
First prize—Rildia Bee O’Bryan Cliburn Piano Competition
Outstanding Academic Achievement Award—University of Cincinnati
Performed live on Cincinnati’s classical radio station, WGUC
Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival in Alaska
Academie de Musique de Sion in Switzerland
MTNA, OMTA
Dr. Melinda Hickman
Lessons with Dr. Hickman provide well-rounded knowledge of piano including music theory, music history, sight-reading, and ear- training. She is also committed to teaching healthy technique. In preparing students for performance, she works on stage presence and addresses issues such as stress and stage fright. Her students have ample opportunities to perform in recitals, evaluations, and competitions.
Originally from Las Cruces, New Mexico, Melinda Hickman began piano lessons at age seven. She started her own piano teaching studio at the age of 14, which continues to this day. For college, she moved to Arizona, then to Cincinnati, teaching music in various forms along the way. At the College-Conservatory of Music she earned three degrees in piano, culminating in the Doctor of Musical Arts.
From 1997 to 2019, Dr. Hickman was an adjunct faculty member at Cincinnati Christian University, where she enjoyed teaching many classes including applied piano (majors, minors and electors), class piano, piano pedagogy, music in world cultures, and music history.
After CCU closed in December of 2019, Dr. Hickman joined the faculty at both CMA and Northern Kentucky University where she now teaches applied piano and class piano. She is also an active performer and adjudicator in the area.
Dr. Hickman is involved in global impact, music ministry, and adoptive families ministry at her church. She also volunteers with International Friendships Inc, befriending college students and scholars from all over the world. She and her husband live in Westwood and have four children.