Melissa Wilson

Melissa is an outgoing individual driven by her desire to see real and effective change for marginalized populations in Canada. She holds an H. BMus from Wilfrid Laurier University specializing in ethnomusicology and anthropology. Her undergraduate research consisted of two major field work projects: a partnership with international music educators to discuss how music education provides a space for cross-cultural engagement; and a project with the Canadian Arabic Orchestra to understand how music plays a role in creating community and aiding in social integration for newcomers to Canada.

Melissa is a believer in education as one of the most valuable tools to enact change. During her undergraduate degree she was Director of Development and Head of the Grant Writing Committee for a student-led organization that provided fully funded scholarships to students from countries in conflict. She also worked as an English and Music teacher at a Syrian Refugee Education Centre in Lebanon for the 2021-2022 school year.

Currently, she is pursuing a Masters of Philanthropy and Non-Profit Leadership from Carleton University in hopes to gain skills to work with nonprofit organizations supporting them in being able to effectively achieve their goals and work towards their mission. She has hopes to continue her work in the integration of immigrant populations in Canada and to help others learn, grow and build relationships through music.