Melissa Derechailo has been working at Wayne State College for about 20 years, and she has been promoted to the music faculty this year.  

Derechailo has a bachelor’s degree in music education from the College of New Jersey, a master’s degree in horn performance from Baylor University, a doctorate in horn performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and a master’s in fine arts from the Mississippi University for Women.  

Before coming to Wayne State, Derechailo taught at Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She also taught middle school in North Carolina, leading the middle school choir. 

Derechailo teaches a few different classes in Peterson Fine Arts including music industry, music history, music theatre history, brass ensemble, horn lessons and first year experience.  

“I really enjoy the music theater class,” said Derechailo. “It combines the two things I love, music and theatre.” 

Along with teaching classes, Derechailo also manages two theatres on campus, Ley Theatre and Ramsey Theatre. As the theatre manager, she works with the Black and Gold Performing Arts series and helps the professional groups that come to campus with their technical needs, unloading the trucks, putting up scenery and whatever else the group may need.  

Derechailo said it’s really fun to work with the series because we get to see some really great performances on campus.  

“The groups we bring in are just really great to work with,” Derechailo said. “They are so nice and just really fabulous artists and musicians.” 

For the past 19 years, she has been music staff. Derechailo is now teaching more classes for the college since her promotion. She enjoys teaching for the creativity involved, as well as the learning aspect. When teaching, she is always learning something new.  

Derechailo also plays in a variety of performing groups such as A Touch of Brass, the Sioux City Symphony and the Sioux City Municipal Band.