Jessica Baker

COMM 200 M/W/F 10am

Profile- Mrs. Melanie Popejoy

Melanie Popejoy, the University of North Dakota’s associate director of choral activities,

was born and raised in Mexico, Missouri, a small town an hour northeast of the state’s capital,

Jefferson City. Mexico has a population of approximately 11,500 people, about twenty percent of

Grand Forks’ population size.

From a young age, Melanie has developed a passion for music. Her father was their

church’s choir director. Melanie was told by her parents that she could choose to learn either the

piano or a band instrument. Melanie chose to learn the piano. She has never played a band

instrument to date. “Can you believe that? And I even married a band director too,” said

Popejoy. Melanie had to help finance her piano lessons, so she went next door every day to feed

her neighbor’s cat for money. This neighbor was also her piano teacher. Melanie recalled her

piano teacher as “strict, but good.” Melanie practiced every day on her “starter piano” at home as

well. Her “starter piano” was actually a piece of construction paper with piano keys drawn on it

with marker. “My mother watched me practice on my paper piano every day,” said Popejoy,

“and she corrected me if I was off.” Eventually, Melanie’s parents were able to buy her a piano

for $25 at a local auction.

Melanie continued to practice the piano and participate in her school’s choral programs.

“My high school choir director was one of the most inspirational people in my life,” said

Melanie. “He saw a potential in me that I couldn’t and told me that he ‘thought I could be a great

teacher.’” Melanie acted like a teacher from a young age. She used to invite her friends over to
her house to play “school.” They would sit in their desks and Melanie would stand up and teach

them everything she knew: math, history, music, anything. “I never even wanted to be a teacher,”

said Popejoy. “I love to travel and bring happiness to other people, so I wanted to either be a

stewardess and see the world or be Cinderella at Disneyland. There was no Disneyworld then.”

Melanie went on to graduate high school and took her choir director’s advice. She later

received her bachelor of music education and master of arts and music degrees from Central

Missouri State University, where she met her husband, Dr. James Popejoy, in the music

department. They were married James’ senior year of college after Melanie graduated with her

bachelor’s degree and moved to Iowa, Kansas, and, eventually, Texas. Melanie became Kodaly

level one certified to teach children how to read music and solfege hand signs and began her

teaching career with local elementary and high schools while James continued his education.

Once James received his doctorate degree, he began looking for jobs at the collegiate

level. A spot for a band director opened at the University of North Dakota. He applied and was

accepted, so Melanie and James came to Grand Forks. Melanie got a position as a choral director

at Valley Middle School in Grand Forks. Melanie has been teaching music for 32 years, five of

which have been at UND. When a position for a new choral director opened at UND, Dr.

Bronfman encouraged Melanie to apply. She took a one-year leave of absence from Valley

Middle School before sending in her resignation after being embraced by the UND community.

She is the director of the Allegro Women’s Choir and Vivo Chamber Ensemble.

Melanie is also the founder of the Grand Cities Children’s Choir (GCCC). GCCC is a

local choral organization designed for children in grades 3-9 in the Grand Forks area. GCCC was

started in 2001 and is now in its 17th season. The Grand Cities Children’s Choir has performed at

North Dakota music educator conferences and local schools as well as in Minneapolis, Carnegie
Hall in New York City, and, most recently, in Washington, D.C. Students audition both in small

groups and as individuals to get into the program and can volunteer to assist directors throughout

the rest of their high school years after their program completion as GGs (gracious guides).

As with any job, there are some challenges. Some of the biggest challenges Melanie has

faced over the years are keeping her students safe on trips, organizing events, and the

implementation of technology. “What we do in this room is so important,” said Popejoy. “We

need interpersonal connections to avoid feelings of isolation. It’s not healthy.”

Melanie has had some wonderful high moments throughout her life. The kindness of the

people she works around is the first high that comes to her mind. Melanie has been nominated

for and won several Teacher of the Year awards. “Nominations are nice, but I couldn’t care less

about the awards,” said Melanie. “I care about my students, watching them pursuing their

passions and seeing how music changes someone’s life.” She was proud of the GCCC New York

trip to Carnegie Hall. Melanie fought through many sleepless nights prior to that trip because it

was the largest trip she has ever done with a group that size.

Melody Sebald, a UND junior, has known Melanie since she was in elementary school.

Melody has been in GCCC, had Melanie as a teacher at Valley Middle School, has been in

Allegro and Vivo, and is currently working under Melanie as her undergraduate conducting

assistant at UND. “If I could only use three words to describe Mrs. Popejoy,” said Sebald

without hesitation, “I would say she is inspiring, wise, and selfless.” Melody sees Melanie as a

“valuable leader in the community” with many connections and resources, but also humble and

cares about everyone.

 When Melanie looked back on all she has done over the years, she realized that her

students and their joy in singing is what has kept her going. “I love to work with students on

something challenging,” said Popejoy, “and see them achieve what they once thought was

impossible.”

Melanie does not see herself leaving anytime soon. “They’re gonna have to kick me out

the door here,” she said with a chuckle. “Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll start directing a choir

at my future nursing home.”

With GCCC, Melanie wants to pass the torch onto someone relatively soon. There are

some people who come to her mind that could “probably find a way to make it even better” after

she is gone. “I want to watch from the audience and hear people say ‘Wow! Mrs. Popejoy never

thought of that!’ rather than ‘It was better when Mrs. Popejoy did it this way.’” She hopes that

the organization will continue to grow and better itself in the future.