Melba Wright grew up in Overland Park KS. She attended school at Brookridge Elementary, Indian Woods Middle School and attended Shawnee Mission South High School. She moved to Decatur IL and graduated from Argenta Orienta High School. She realized she had a gift for singing at an early age and participated in music minstrey throughout her life. Following high school, she attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia PA where she majored in Voice. While at University of the Arts, she was a cantor at St. John the Evangelist Church, performed on the WPVI-TV televised Mass with Dr. DeMedio, producer-pianist, and was a featured vocalist on the recording Edge of a Dream by composer Friar James Menkhus. Following her BA, Melba decided to focus on education. She completed her Masters of Arts in Teaching also from the University of the Arts.
Following her graduation from University of the Arts, she worked at the Merit School of Music in Chicago IL. During her time there, she was responsible for bringing music instruction in to schools in Chicago. She was influential in creating and developing their choral and musical theater programs. Melba had grown the program to more than a dozen choirs and she was gaining a lot of local attention. They were invited to perform at various functions through the Chicago metro. Her work there earned her national recognition and she was awarded the Distinguished Teacher's Award by Yale University in 2007, where she also studied and received a Music Certificate. What was more amazing was her ability to build relationships. Many of these relationships extended to siblings and family members around the city. Melba would often share her experiences in some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city saying that gang members had her back and would keep her safe.
Following her graduation from University of the Arts, she worked at the Merit School of Music in Chicago IL. During her time there, she was responsible for bringing music instruction in to schools in Chicago. She was influential in creating and developing their choral and musical theater programs. Melba had grown the program to more than a dozen choirs and she was gaining a lot of local attention. They were invited to perform at various functions through the Chicago metro. Her work there earned her national recognition and she was awarded the Distinguished Teacher's Award by Yale University in 2007, where she also studied and received a Music Certificate. What was more amazing was her ability to build relationships. Many of these relationships extended to siblings and family members around the city. Melba would often share her experiences in some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city saying that gang members had her back and would keep her safe.
In 2008, she was compelled to return to Kansas City to be closer to her father. . She quickly became involved in several arts projects, including being an early planner for the MSAKC. With MSAKC, she organized and conducted summer musical camps where students learned vocal techniques, dance techniques and theater/staging techniques. Each camp ended with a performance for parents and family. She worked in several educational settings and found her passion for working with the I/DD (Intellectual and Developmental Disability) population. She worked with Goodlife Innovations (Community Living Opportunities) where she started as the director of day services in JoCo and promoted in the organization to a regional director for JoCo. She never lost her passion for music and theater. She worked with students privately giving them voice lessons.
In May, 2022, Melba lost her 7-year battle with leukemia. Throughout this time, she was enthusiastic about life and strong in her faith. She remained active in the arts community till the very end. She worked with several local music theater groups as well as giving private vocal lessons. She was working with MSAKC and Dr. Aspleaf on a summer camp for musical theater at the time of her passing.
The Melba Wright McNichols scholarship is an ongoing tribute to an amazing individual and talented artist to allow students to follow their dreams in the performing arts.
The Melba Wright McNichols scholarship is an ongoing tribute to an amazing individual and talented artist to allow students to follow their dreams in the performing arts.
