Mel Daneke is a contemporary vocal music performer, arranger, producer, and instructor. Mel graduated from Ithaca College in December of 2013 with a bachelor of music degree in Vocal Performance and a minor in Audio Production. While at IC, she sang with the Women's Chorale, Madrigal Singers, and Ithaca College Choir. She was also involved in the Percussion Ensemble and Steel Band all four years. She took part in IC Opera and Opera Workshop the last two years of her collegiate career.
During college, Mel traveled to Germany to participate in the International Performing Arts Institute to further her operatic training. She also traveled up and down the eastern seaboard of the U.S. leading high school and middle school a cappella workshops and masterclasses with IC’s all-female a cappella group, Premium Blend. While serving as the conductor of the group, Mel discovered her passion for helping others implement true artistry in vocal music performance.
Upon graduating from college, Mel auditioned for and was accepted into the internationally renowned vocal band, Musae, as the group’s vocal percussionist. Mel has traveled extensively with the group to perform in vocal music festivals in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Mel has also been a masterclass clinician and instructor for The Vocal Foundation’s A CappellaEd and the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America's SoJam A Cappella Festival. Recently, she took part in forming a vocal band, Pulse, which features singers that are beatboxers. She is always ready to collaborate with other aspiring vocal music artists, and can be reached at meldaneke@gmail.com