Melita Hunsinger

Melita Hunsinger enjoys a versatile career as a chamber musician, soloist, and orchestral musician. Melita joined The Phoenix Symphony as principal cellist in 2015. Previously she served as principal cellist of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and the Richmond Symphony Orchestra in Indiana. An enthusiastic chamber musician, Melita enjoys collaborating with her colleagues in concerts throughout the valley. In 2018 Melita joined Urban Nocturnes, a Phoenix-based chamber ensemble who are artists-in-residence at Trinity Cathedral in downtown Phoenix.

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Melita graduated summa cum laude from St. Olaf College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. She received her Master of Music degree from Rice University. Melita is indebted to her teachers, including Louis Potter, Jr., Norman Fischer, Paul Katz, and Chris French.

From 2002 to 2009 Melita held the position of principal cellist of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and she appeared as soloist with the orchestra on two occasions, performing concertos by Saint-Saëns and Brahms. Melita also performed as a member of the orchestra’s resident string quartet, presenting chamber recitals throughout the state, including many at the Clinton Presidential Library’s chamber music series.

While residing in Fort Wayne, Melita performed regularly with the Grand Rapids Symphony, the South Bend Symphony, and the Richmond (IN) Symphony as principal cellist. Melita appeared as soloist with the Richmond Symphony in 2014, performing Victor Herbert’s second cello concerto. After joining the Fort Wayne Philharmonic as principal cellist, Melita was heard regularly on subscription chamber recitals as a member of the orchestra’s resident string quartet. Following her inaugural season with The Phoenix Symphony, Melita was engaged as soloist to perform Leonard Bernstein’s Three Meditations from Mass. In January, 2020, Melita again joined The Phoenix Symphony and Tito Muñoz as soloist, performing Schumann’s Cello Concerto in A Minor.

Melita and her husband Jeff have two wonderful children, Paul and Clara, who enjoy much in life – including music.