Dr. Melissa Kraut is recognized as one of the leading pedagogues of her generation. She holds degrees from CIM, the University of Iowa and Northwestern University, and has studied with Alan Harris and Hans-Jørgen Jensen. Additionally, Dr. Kraut has participated in master classes of cellists Aldo Parisot, Frank Miller, Yo-Yo Ma, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi and David Soyer. She participated in the Aspen Music Festival, Banff Center for the Arts and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival (Germany). An active performer, Dr. Kraut has led a diverse stage career, with solo and chamber performances throughout the U.S. and Europe. She has held leadership positions in many orchestras and has played under the baton of such distinguished conductors as Sir Georg Solti, Valery Gergiev and Semyon Bychkov.

In the summer, Dr. Kraut teaches at the Meadowmount School of Music (New York). Prior to Meadowmount, she was Cello Instructor and Head of Strings at the Interlochen Arts Camp. Her students have achieved great success, earning top prizes in national and international competitions. Students of Dr. Kraut have won the Gold Medal and Audience Award at the Gaspar Cassado Competition in Hachioji, Japan, Grand Prize in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Competition, First Prize in the American String Teacher’s Association (ASTA), Grand Prize in the Walgreen’s Competition, as well as prizes in many local and regional competitions. Melissa Kraut lives in Hudson, Ohio with her husband and two daughters.