Rita Gigliotti
I'm Rita Gigliotti,
a Choral Director, Music Educator and Music for Well-Being Expert
My mission is to inspire others to discover the transformative power of music in fostering connection, resilience, and well-being.
As the former Choral Director at South Lakes High School in Reston, VA, I led multiple award-winning choirs who consistently earned superior ratings at state and national assessments. I organized music events that included collaborations with Pentatonix, and my choirs had the honor of performing at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and Epcot in Walt Disney World.
Today, I own Melodia Studio in Fairfax County, Virginia and offer K-12 families private voice lessons, mentorship, and exclusive access to industry events. I also teach undergrad and graduate courses at George Mason University for the Music for Well-Being Program while completing my Doctorate in Music Education.
When I am not working with students, I am with performing arts educators, helping them integrate wellness practices into their teaching to sustain their passion for music education.
Learn more about my work here.
K-12 students in Northern Virginia may sign up for private voice lessons at Melodia Studio. For upcoming Music for Well-Being workshops for music educators, get in touch.
Music Education and Certifications
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Pursuing Doctorate (PhD) in Music Education at George Mason University
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Graduate Certificate in Music for Well-Being (George Mason University, 2022)
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Level 2 Certification in Contemporary Commercial Music pedagogy at the CCM Institute
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Pranayama Certification with Maryam Ovissi at Beloved Yoga
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Healing Touch Certificates - Level 1, 2, and 3
Professional Highlights
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Director for the Healing Arts Ensemble and Instructor for the Music for Well-Being Program at George Mason University
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Board member for the Friends of Mason Music
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Former President of the Fairfax County Choral Directors Association
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Co-producer and host of SingStrongDC for Nine Years (2009-2016)
Association Memberships
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The National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
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American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
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International Symposium for Music Education (ISME)
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American Psychology Association Division 10 (APA)
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College Music Society (CMS)
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Chorus America
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A Cappella Education Association