Mel Orriss
PLAY
Flute Choir with Wonderful Winds (Grades 0-6)
Friday 15th August 16:30, Recital Hall
PLAY
Flute Choir with Wonderful Winds (Grade 6+)
Saturday 16th August 11:45, Recital Hall
PLAY
Flute Choir with Wonderful Winds (Grade 8+)
Sunday 17th August 14:00, Recital Hall
Mel Orriss is a British flautist, composer, and educator whose career spans performance, teaching, and publishing. After an extensive performing career, her passion for arranging and composing led her to co-found Wonderful Winds in 2010 with double reed specialist Anna Cooper. The company has since gained global recognition for its imaginative and high-quality wind ensemble repertoire, with several publications earning top honours in the National Flute Association (USA) Newly Published Music competition.
Mel’s musical foundation began at Chetham’s School of Music, followed by advanced flute studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she studied under Peter Lloyd and Kathryn Lukas. During her training, she was a semi-finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year and toured Europe with the European Community Orchestra. While at Guildhall, she also began performing with the acclaimed ensemble Festive Flutes, marking the start of a lifelong dedication to chamber music.
Beyond publishing, Mel is a passionate educator. She teaches flautists of all ages, coaches woodwind groups and flute ensembles, and is the Assistant Conductor and Woodwind Coach of the Devon Youth Orchestras. She also co-directs the Brent Music Service Flute Choir alongside Joss Campbell, inspiring the next generation of young flautists.
Through her work with Wonderful Winds and her commitment to music education, Mel continues to enrich the wind playing community worldwide with creativity, accessibility, and excellence.
Mel’s appearance at the Just Flutes Festival 2025 is generously supported by Wonderful Winds.
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