Meloney B.

Meloneya.k.a. Diamond Melody, a singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist, is a native New Yorker. Born into a musical family, her mother was a gospel recording artist and one of the first female co-pastors; her father, an activist, pastored a vibrant congregation. Among Diamond Melody’s first musical memories are touring with her musical siblings, being the local and regional church choir director, a worship leader, and musician. Some of her fledgling musical experiences were performances on renowned stages, one of which was New York’s famed Carnegie Hall, where she, her siblings, and church youths joined her mother in concert. As Melody Diamond and siblings grew they went on to do backup recording sessions for her mother. Bringing cultural and educational performances to U.S. colleges and HBCUs, Melody Diamond performed with the Mercer Ellington Orchestra and similar orchestras/bands. During those years she performed with arranger Nat Adderly, Jr., songwriter Abbey Lincoln, and Good Times TV mom, Esther Rolle. In elementary school, Melody Diamond was a featured soloist for theater, drama, and musical performances. As a dance club member, she was often a front-line performer; in middle and high school this continued. During college, Diamond--as she is known in the music industry--began performing with girl groups where she often sang lead. She also sang with her multi-talented siblings, known in the gospel arena as ‘Family. ’ Soon after, Diamond started doing club dates and corporate wedding gigs throughout the New York Tri-State area and beyond. It was then that Diamond began receiving calls to do backup recording sessions for various artists at studios including Sony NYC, and SIR, for the likes of Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson and others. Diamond has toured extensively, lending her awesome backup vocals to legendary gospel greats The Clark Sisters, Donnie McClurkin, Shirley Caesar, and others. In the secular world, she toured with well-known artist Don Henley of the Eagles, Jason Mraz, Monica, Joey McIntyre (NKOTB), INXS, Charles Kelly, famed guitarist Carlos Santana, and a bevy of others. For 10+ years she toured with solo artist Rob Thomas formerly the front man for Matchbox 20. To her credit she has also shared stages with pop band the Plain White T’s, singer Nat Townsley Jr. and Cheryl Pepsii Riley. She’s shared a stage with multi-instrumentalist Korel Tunador of the Goo Goo Dolls and the band Vinyl Station. Having studied music, piano, and theory, Melody Diamond worked as a vocal instructor at both the Maryland and Virginia chapters of the School of Rock where her students adored her. An unmatched vocal coach, she gives private vocal lessons and has trained choral groups. Not just a pretty face, Diamond attended New York’s City College where she majored in psychology. As one who loves to sing, dance, travel, and delve into the science of the mind, she loves interior decorating and connecting with the peace of nature. A cat person, in an often times-cutthroat industry, she is truly an eclectic, talented and serene soul.