Melita Anastasia Denny is a Ph.D. candidate in musicology at UC Davis. She earned a bachelor’s of science degree in viola da gamba performance from Indiana University Jacob’s School of Music, graduating with distinction in 2009. During her studies at IU, she also did additional work in music history with research interests centering on the history of music theory and imitative counterpoint in Renaissance sacred polyphony.

She has a passion for teaching music and has gained considerable experience working with bowed strings (violin, viola, and viola da gamba), chamber music, and music theory. She studied pedagogy with Sue Brown (Cabrillo College) and Brenda Brenner (Indiana University).  Recent projects have included building programs that offer opportunities for young students to learn to play Renaissance music. She created a performance program for the Viols West Workshop and launched a year-long program for beginning viol students in Paso Robles, CA.