Melonie Grinnell

 Melonie Grinnell   

Jazz Pianist

 

​Melonie Grinnell is a versatile jazz pianist, vocalist, and music educator based in San Diego, California. With a rich background spanning jazz, classical, pop, musical theater, and commercial music, she is recognized for her dynamic artistry and leadership both on and off the stage.

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Melonie brings a wealth of experience as a performer, musical director, and collaborative pianist. She has performed extensively with vocal and instrumental ensembles, orchestras, jazz combos, and soloists. Her ability to move fluidly across genres and roles has made her a sought-after sideman and collaborator within the San Diego jazz community.

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She performs with her own jazz trio, featuring her husband, bassist Justin Grinnell, and drummer Richard Sellers, whose collaboration dates back to 2013. In addition to her jazz work, Melonie is an active accompanist for classical string studios and has performed with the San Diego Symphony as a keyboardist during their Pops season.

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Melonie also has a strong foundation in musical theater and commercial music. She has worked extensively as a rehearsal pianist and musical director, both on land and at sea. As a former music director on cruise ships, she led a 10-piece orchestra from the piano, supporting headlining acts and managing all onboard musical programming and performances.

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She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with Jazz Emphasis from the University of Miami (Florida) and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from San Diego State University. With over 25 years of experience in higher education, she currently serves as Assistant Professor and Co-Chair of the Music Department at Grossmont College.

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In addition to her administrative duties as co-chair, Melonie serves as Director of the Piano Program, where she oversees the class piano series for music majors, teaches both jazz and classical pianists in her private studio, and leads weekly masterclasses for piano performance majors. She is also Director of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, conducting from the piano and integrating her performance experience with ensemble leadership.

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Beyond the classroom, Melonie is an active clinician and adjudicator, presenting guest lectures and masterclasses in jazz piano performance and improvisation. She has contributed to numerous festivals and organizations, including MTAC, CMEA, the Summer Jazz Workshop, and the Oceanside Jazz Festival.

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See calendar to view upcoming performances.