Melissa Lyans began playing violin at age ten and switched to viola in college. She has played in university and community orchestras in Wisconsin, Texas, New Mexico, Chicago, London and California. While living in London with her husband and three children she  trained in the Colourstrings method and  taught 3-10 year olds at the Blackheath Conservatoire of Music and Arts. She also studied methods based on  Kodaly, Orff, Dalcroze Eurythmics and Solfege.In addition to her sketchy music training (never finished music school) she has a Masters in Child Development from the Erikson Institute in Chicago. She joined UCDSO in 1999.

While not practicing her UCDSO music, Melissa teaches beginning violin and viola, plays with Camellia Symphony in Sacramento, volunteers for NAMI-Yolo, a mental Health Advocacy organization, and Compassionate Friends, a support group for bereaved parents. She is also head curator for an annual “Sunflower Art” show at the Davis Art Center. She has no free time.

In August 2010, she and her husband, Andreas Albrecht, Chair of UCD Physics, were in Spain, before beginning a sabbatical in Chicago. Unfortunately, Melissa fell while hiking and injured both arms. Thanks to the best Occupational Therapist in Chicago, she has recovered most of her facility and is  thrilled to be a part of UCDSO again. She promises to watch her step when the Symphony travels to Spain in 2012.