Melissa McCready

A life is like a piece of paper in which every person along the way leaves a mark – This Chinese Proverb describes Melissa’s song writing inspiration and style. Inspired by those around her, Melissa is an accomplished vocalist, guitarist, and a gifted songwriter. She states, “My main instrument is my voice”. She has played numerous venues in both Ontario and British Columbia and has won several awards along the way. She fronted the acclaimed band Karma in London, Ontario. Her main focus is to concentrate on a melodic acoustic solo style.

Melissa has been playing guitar for twelve years, and was trained at The Ontario Conservatory of Music. As a child, she was focused on her voice at St. Mary’s Choir and Orchestra School.

By the age of fourteen, Melissa was playing in her first band Karma, which played at several local clubs and high school events. In their brief four-year history, Karma’s accomplishments included the first place standing in “ROR Concerts Battle of the Bands” in 1997, held at the Embassy Hotel in London, Ontario. This gave the band an opportunity to record at Orbiter Studios in Toronto, Ontario. At that session, Melissa’s song “Real Disguise” was recorded and included on PIA Records 1997 compilation CD “Rising Indies”.

Since Karma, Melissa’s style has matured into a rhythmic driven, melodic, acoustic style. She has appeared at various clubs in London Ontario, including The Embassy Hotel, The Whippet Lounge and the Coffee Grind.

In July of 1999, she relocated to Vancouver to pursue her music career. Since arriving, she has been promoting her music through street performances, and live shows. She has played in such venues as Miss T’s, The Media Club, Silvertone Tavern and The Vancouver Rowing Club. Her move helped her find Tera Vickers, who became a valuable song-writing partner.

Using the tools she gained while enrolled in the Music Business Administration Program at Trebas Institute, she is now working to expand her audience independently and release her debut CD entitled “The Paradox project”.