Piano
Melissa Hartman Couture holds a BFA with a minor in piano from the University of Oklahoma and a master's degree in Theater Education from Texas Woman's University. She has studied piano, theater, voice, and dance since childhood and considers herself a lifelong student. At OU, she was part of the top a cappella concert choir and also directed all of her sorority's musical activities.
The piano has been Melissa's lifelong passion. She began playing her grandmother's piano by ear at age seven and quickly started formal lessons. She discovered her talent for classical songwriting in fifth grade, winning several city and state composition contests throughout her teen years. After moving to New York City, Melissa pursued a 12-year career in the performing arts, starring in two Off-Broadway musicals—Schoolhouse Rock Live! and The It Girl—and performing in musical theater tours, cruise ships, and even as a magician's assistant in Seoul, South Korea. While in NYC, she also became a certified Montessori teacher, enjoying four years in the field before returning to Dallas to be closer to family.
After returning to Dallas, Melissa began teaching private piano lessons and soon developed a deep love for one-on-one instruction. Her goal is to inspire a love of music in her students while setting achievable yet challenging goals to keep them motivated. Melissa believes that any student can excel with consistent effort and a strong foundational understanding.
In addition to private piano lessons, Melissa has expanded her teaching into musical theater, tap dancing, and monologue audition prep at local theaters, including Plano Children's Theater, Allen Contemporary Theater, and Arts Center Theater of Plano. Recently, she also performed as an accompanist for the mystery play Clue at Allen Contemporary Theater, a project that allowed her to combine her love of piano playing with character work, making for a unique and rewarding experience.