Andres Tapia asks: Hi Melissa, Did you ever want to visit South America?, Countries like Chile, Argentina, Peru and so on. About frontwoman, What do you think of them, is a fad? And What is your favorite band with a frontwoman?. With your gifted voice, "Have you thought about opening an academy of singing, or become a teacher?
Hi Andres! I would LOVE to visit South America! My aunt is actually from Peru and remember her telling beautiful stories of that place. Plus absolutely everyone I’ve met from there is the sweetest and most genuine people I’ve met. Truly!
I don’t think front women in bands is a fad. Women have led bands for centuries, so no. Do I think that women are treated differently in a band, yes. I’d talk deeper about it here, but you can go to my Myspace to read my blog about it...it’s rather long. Lol!
My favourite frontfemmes would be Agnete Kirkevaag, Catherine Paulsen and Nina Hagen. They are the whole package in my eyes. True. Genuine. Artists. Not just singers.
I actually have thought about opening a school to be honest. My passion in life is music education, it always has been. In fact, right now I’m the Director of Education for the Hennepin Theatre Trust which is an organization that brings touring Broadway musicals to Minneapolis, so our program is based on music theatre education.
I’ve thought about when I’m old and retired, opening a vocal academy for all styles of singing: classical, death metal growls, Arabic singing, Flamenco singing...you name it, we offer it. But we shall see, it takes a lot of money to open something like that. ;) So it might just be a fantasy. But I love to teach and maybe someday my schedule will open up again to allow me to take on some voice students again.
Waltz asks: What is the difference between Melissa we heard in Aesma Daeva and Melissa now in Echoterra?
Hi Waltz, that is a tough question. I would say no matter what band I’m in, you still get Melissa Ferlaak because I bring my style into any group I’m a part of.
I would say Aesma Daeva was more challenging and thus my style was more intricate, subtle, and cerebral. With Echoterra, it is a bit more straightforward so its more playful, fun and emotional. If I had to generalize that is.