The NYU Steinhardt Music and Performing Arts Professions Department has announced that Chelsea Melnick, a senior in Music Education, is the recipient of the 2023-2024 Presser Foundation Award. The Foundation celebrates students, selected by music faculty, who have achieved a high level of musical and academic excellence, demonstrated leadership, and contributed to an inclusive community.
Chelsea will use the grant to create a number of musical theater related projects with students, recent graduates, and small organizations. She plans to pursue writing, orchestrating, and music directing.
Chelsea, originally from Madison, Wisconsin, is a NYC based singer, pianist, conductor, music educator, and music director. Along with singing in NYU Village Voices, she has studied voice, jazz piano, and songwriting. Upon graduating, Chelsea will continue her work as a music director with the Tisch New Theatre and the Gallatin Theatre Troupe. Her recent credits include: Alice by Heart (Theater for the New City), No Guts, No Glory (The Garage at NYU), Cabaret (West End Theatre), and Spring Awakening: in Concert (The Cutting Room).
