Leah Grace Knight, Director

Meet the Director

ABOUT LEAH

Leah Grace Knight is a lyric coloratura soprano celebrated for her uniquely beautiful tone and her rich, full voice. She is known for her elegant musical interpretation and charming stage presence. Leah has an incredibly versatile mechanism which allows her to master many genres of music with ease, but none as effortlessly as her first love - oratorio.

EXPERIENCE

Leah has performed in a variety of operas, operettas, oratorios and musical theater productions. These performances include her debut with the Fargo Moorhead Opera as Barbarina from Le Nozze di Figaro, Olympia from Les Contes D’Hoffman, Merry Widow from The Merry Widow, Lisa from Pique Dame and countless others. Leah has enjoyed singing in the chorus for Dialogue of the Carmelites and La Traviata as well as performing the soprano solos for Carmina Burana and the Messiah. 

Leah established the Merry Melody Music Academy in Lake Park, MN in 2020 and has enjoyed enormous success and growth over the past three years. 

EDUCATION

  • Dickinson State University - Undergraduate in Vocal Performance 

  • North Dakota State University - Graduate Studies vocal performance 

  • Johanna Meier Opera Theater Institute - opera performance 

  • Miami Frost school of Music in Salzburg, Austria - opera, oratorio & song cycle Performance with German language immersion 

 AWARDS & HONORS

  • Finalist, Shirley Winston Rabb Scholarship, NATS

  • Winner, Market Place Talent Search, Market Place of Ideas

  • Winner, Summer Opera Program Scholarship, Johanna Meier Opera Theater Institute

  • Winner, First Place, North Dakota State Women’s Division, NATS (Four Consecutive Years)

  • Winner, Encouragement Award, District MET Auditions (Two Conservative Years)

  • Recipient of Music Performance and Language Study Abroad Scholarship, Salzburg College, Miami Frost School of Music

  • Winner, North Dakota State Young Artist Competition, MTNA

  • Winner, West Central Division Young Artist Competition, MTNA

  • Finalist, National Young Artist Competition, MTNA

Leah Knight is the lead instructor at the Academy and teaches voice, piano, percussion, guitar, ukulele, woodwinds, violin and group music classes of all kinds for all ages.

Meet our “Merry Team”

  • Deanna Bachmann-Piano Instructor

    Deanna graduated from Pillsbury Baptist Bible College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance and has been teaching piano lessons, homeschooling her family and working as a church pianist for nearly 30 years. Deanna join the teaching team at Merry Melody in 2022.

    Deanna is an instructor of private and companion piano lessons at the Academy.

  • Brian Ferdon-Brass and Instrumental Instructor

    A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brian pursued higher education at Jacksonville University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Business and Recording Technologies. During this period, he was deeply engaged in the local music scene, working professionally in Jacksonville from 2009 to 2014. His performance repertoire spanned small jazz ensembles, classical chamber music, pit orchestras, church bands, marching band and even a rock/Reggaeton group. In addition to his performance skills, Brian demonstrated notable ability in Foley effects, songwriting, and film scoring.

    Furthering his experience in the music industry, Brian worked with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra during the 2012-2013 season. He served as both an artistic management assistant and production assistant, contributing to the artistic and logistical facets of orchestral operations.

  • Apprentice Teachers-A Variety of Instruments

    The Merry Melody Music Academy is proud to offer a work-based apprenticeship program to train the next generation of private music teachers.

    We are happy to introduce the 2025/2026 student teachers.

  • Melissa Jay-Assistant/Supervisor

    Melissa is a homeschool mom with 3 children, 4 dogs and 2 cats and lives with her husband, Sam, in rural MN. Melissa’s family is an integral part of the Academy as they were the very first students to begin working with Mrs. Knight in the Lake Park Area.

    Melissa is the Academy’s Administrative Assistant and Teaching Apprentice Supervisor.

    Melissa joined the Merry Melody team in 2021.

  • Paul Rohweller-Small Instrument Repair

    Paul Rohweller is the Academy’s resident small instrument repair specialist. Paul is passionate musician, repair specialist and an all around “nice guy.” Paul joined the Merry Melody team in 2021.

  • Alex Moe-Piano Tuner/Large Instrument Repair

    Alex Moe is the Academy’s resident large instrument repair specialist and an exceptional piano tuner. Alex is a talented organist, pianist and all around musician. Alex joined the Merry Melody team in 2022.