Melissa Snavely
Assistant Orchestra Personnel Manager
Biography
As assistant personnel manager, Melissa helps manage the day-to-day operations relating to the Orchestra musicians. She prepares the weekly payroll, hires substitutes, generates contracts, tracks leave requests, and performs many other administrative tasks. She serves as the Orchestra’s agent and personnel representative at Orchestra services and assists with auditions. She is happy to help support the artistic excellence of Sarasota Orchestra’s musicians and to be a part of such a great organization.
Get to know Melissa Snavely
First year with Sarasota Orchestra: 2025
Education and Experience: Before joining Sarasota Orchestra, Melissa worked as director of operations with the Washington Concert Opera in D.C. Prior to that, she spent over a decade as a public school music teacher and church pianist. Melissa earned her Bachelor of Music from James Madison University, her Master of Music from Shenandoah Conservatory, and a Graduate Performance Diploma in clarinet from the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University.
People are surprised to learn... After a decidedly unathletic youth (she was in the marching band), Melissa discovered the sport of rowing (also known as “crew”) as an adult. Did you know that Sarasota is home to the number-one rowing venue in the U.S.? Melissa rows with the Sarasota Crew Masters Rowing program and spends many early mornings at Nathan Benderson Park.
