Originally from Salem, Oregon USA, Melissa Carroll has been living and performing music in Asia since 2004. 

In her formative years, Melissa studied classical oboe with Mary Lott of Willamette University and clarinet and alto saxophone with local performer and teacher Jon Melendy.  She attended Pacific University where she received a BA in music, studying oboe with Alan Juza and playing oboe in the Pacific University Wind Ensemble and alto saxophone in the PU Big Band under the direction of Michael Burch-Pesses. She also spent a year in Belfast, Northern Ireland at Queen’s University studying oboe with Colin Stark of the Ulster Orchestra, as well as composition and classical music of the 21st century. 

Upon graduating from PU Melissa plotted herself in China for the next four and a half years, three and half of those years in Chengdu, Sichuan. 

In August of 2008, Melissa packed her bags once more and moved to Singapore to play alto, tenor, baritone sax and flute at St. James Power Station in the Bellini Room (and also Bellini Grande at Clark Quay) where she held residency for two and half years.  In the spring of 2010 she formed with friend’s progressive jazz band Tessera, which was featured at the Roberson Quay Wine and Jazz Festival.  She also is a founding organizer Singapore’s “Shop house Beat Salon,” a gathering place for Singapore’s emerging cultural scene featuring open-mic music/poetry/readings and jazz jam sessions.