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M e l a n i e p o r t r a i t men at arms or D e k k e r : t h e rapt o f g u i t a r i s t early in the a s a soon y o u n g w graduated And o m while a n m a y n o t hear reach of all her spirit the Not every revolution consists of angry madmen 70's, Melanie to protect escape during performance. we full from cover tunes to performing and ideological vanguard fervour. of change Sometimes manifests recording her o w n compositions. She was quickly discontented with copying o t h e r a r t i s t s , f e e l i n g it s t i f l e d h e r o w n creativity. By e m u l a t i n g o t h e r s s h e felt likely to become and of t o o close to their a songs, touches the her haunt more us. She doesn't subtly, in beauty's d i s g u i s e , i m p a c t i n g w i t h style i n s t e a d o f hostility. A n d s u c h is t h e w a y o f s i n g e r / s o n g w r i t e r M e l a n i e Dekker w h e n she takes the stage, w i e l d i n g h e r g u i t a r a s if m a r s h a l l i n g a c a u s e . A n intrepid o n e assuming her place. s h a d o w s , s t a n d i n g aside in a reserved m a n n e r , b u t r a t h e r , sits f r o n t a n d c e n t r e in t h e r a d i a n t light o f h e r o w n c o n v i c t i o n s a n d character. A n Inner g l o w e m b r a c i n g both herself a n d her audience, she manner sense material, so braving exposure, emotional she b e g a n s i n g i n g h e r o w n s o n g s . H e r real t a l e n t s o n display, o r i g i n a l i t y a n d versatility captivates w i t h charisma. "Feisty but not angry," diva describes herself. t h e local p o p And perched w e r e s h o w c a s e d . Talents that extend B e y o n d entertainment t h o u g h , a n even greater sense of audience connection f u r t h e r t h a n just p e r f o r m i n g , as s h e also manages her o w n production company, "I like t o p r o m o t e a t t i t u d e s t h a t are u p o n a s t o o l in t h e g e n t e e l s u r r o u n d i n g s of a n e i g h b o u r h o o d coffeehouse, her sassy confidence substantiates this c h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n . She's brash a n d she's bold, with a w r y twist of amusement c o m e s t h r o u g h w h e n M e l a n i e discusses h e r i n v o l v e m e n t w i t h m u s i c t h e r a p y . In various venues, she conducts music revealing a n d refreshing." therapy sessions w i t h stroke It s e e m s t h a t w h a t s h e a d m i r e s i n o t h e r artists reflects her o w n attitude, as i n d e e d , she's revealing a n d refreshing herself, w h i l e m a i n t a i n i n g a restrained p u r i t y o f spirit. By h e r o w n c o n f e s s i o n guarding some of her music "... personal g e m s that I keep sacred a n d secret." recovery p a t i e n t s a n d e n t h u s e s , "I l o v e i t ! " It's t h e h e a l i n g a s p e c t o f m u s i c a n d its ability t o e n e r g i z e a n d rejuvenate that inspires her a n d she's a m a z e d t o see a n d participate in t h e recovery process, a n i n v o l v e m e n t that fosters her o w n creativity. She describes h o w in these sessions s h e incorporates simple dexterity games to promote a lacing her b a r r o o m s a w y . M e l a n i e injects p l a y f u l n e s s i n t o h e r p e r f o r m a n c e s as a w a y t o connect with her audience. persuasive engaging, personality, she's genuine an entertainer A and with poise a n d panache. A self-styled " g u i t a r c h i c k " s c h o o l e d in t h e folk/rock m u s i c o f t h e late 6 0 s a n d 8 S e p t e m b e r I O c t o b e r But you can't deny a diamond's p e r s o n a l i n t e r a c t i o n w i t h p a t i e n t s , all t h e w h i l e e m p h a s i z i n g f u n a n d play. brilliance. W h a t e v e r qualities she h o p e s