The Conservatory

 Early Childhood Instructor

Melaena Allen-Trottier has taught piano and musicianship for over 30 years in individual and classroom settings. She has also taught undergraduate Kodaly pedagogy at the University of Calgary, and she lectured as a Kodaly specialist in various schools and preschools in Calgary. In the last ten years, the majority of Melaena’s music students have been diverse learners, requiring a creative re-imagining of traditional music pedagogy to create a more supportive and meaningful environment.

 n addition to the Level III Kodály teaching certification, Melaena holds three music degrees: A Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Carleton University; a Master’s degree in Music Education (Kodály methodology) from the University of Calgary; and a PhD in Ethnomusicology from the University of Alberta. Her doctoral dissertation focused on the genre of “Gypsy music” as it is created and disseminated by both Romani and non-Romani musicians in Canada. She has published and lectured widely on this topic.

 In addition to professional commitments, Melaena has volunteered extensively as a leader, musician, and music educator with many non-profit and community organizations in Canada and the US. Personal hobbies include hiking, gardening, crafting, and learning new instruments.

 Melaena is committed to the belief that all types of music are valid, and that all individuals are able to create music meaningfully. She considers it a privilege to share her music with the students in the Early Music Education program, and to watch them grow into strong, confident musicians.