As founding conductor and Artistic Director of the Atlanta Women’s Chorus, Melissa Arasi has benefitted from a deeply meaningful musical experience. Through engaging musical endeavors with diverse women, her life has been informed and improved. In addition to her work with the AWC, Dr. Arasi recently served as Guest Professor at Kennesaw State and Georgia State Universities and as Assistant Professor of Music Education and Coordinator of Music Education Programs at Reinhardt University.

Dr. Arasi previously served as the Supervisor of Performing Arts: General/Choral Music, Theatre, and Dance for the Cobb County School District in Marietta, Georgia. Prior to this supervisory role, she was the Choral Director and Fine Arts Department Chair at Walton High School in Cobb County for fourteen years. Additionally, Dr. Arasi previously served as Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at the Georgia Institute of Technology Choral Program, where she founded and conducted the Women’s Choir. Dr. Arasi has taught private voice, elementary general music, and conducted children’s choirs in several Atlanta area churches.

Dr. Arasi received a Bachelor of Music Education from Shorter College in Rome, Georgia; a Master of Music Education and a Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning in Music Education with a concentration in choral music and a cognate in leadership from Georgia State University. Dr. Arasi was a member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, primarily under the direction of Robert Shaw, for five seasons. She maintains active memberships in NAfME, GMEA, and ACDA and has held leadership roles in both the state of Georgia and the Southern Division of ACDA.