About Ann

Ann Medellin is a violinist, educator, conductor, and arts leader with nearly 39 years of experience inspiring students through music. A native of Colorado and a longtime resident of the Pacific Northwest, Ann has dedicated her career to helping young musicians discover confidence, creativity, and a lifelong connection to music.

Ann’s own musical journey began in fourth grade when she first picked up the violin through her school orchestra program in Colorado. With the encouragement of her family, she developed a passion for music that led to performances as a soloist, participation in All-State Orchestra, and a career combining performance, teaching, and leadership.

Ann earned bachelor’s degrees in Violin Performance and K–12 Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado, where her involvement with the String Project inspired her passion for teaching. She later earned master’s degrees in Music and Secondary Education from the University of North Texas and Texas A&M University, along with additional study in Gifted and Talented Education and violin pedagogy with renowned teacher Igor Borodin. She also holds National Board Certification in Early Adolescence through Adulthood Music and completed Administrative and Curriculum Certification at the University of Portland.

Throughout her career, Ann taught beginning through advanced string students in Washington and Texas, working with students in elementary, middle, and high school settings. She served as the Vancouver School District’s K–12 Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator, providing leadership in arts education and helping expand opportunities for students across the district. She was also instrumental in opening three schools in Vancouver, including the innovative Vancouver School of Arts and Academics (VSAA).

Ann’s dedication to music education has been recognized through Outstanding Music Educator awards from the Vancouver School District, the Washington American String Teachers Association, and the Washington Music Educators Association. She has served in state and national leadership roles, including six years on the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Music Program Leaders Council.

As a professional violinist, Ann has performed with the Oregon Ballet Theatre Orchestra, Portland Opera Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Nova Northwest, and numerous regional and festival ensembles. She has also served as director and instructor of the University of Portland Chamber Music Camp.

Today, Ann brings her lifetime of experience as a performer, educator, and mentor to her private teaching studio, where she continues to share her love of music with students of all ages.

Ann lives in the Portland–Vancouver area with her husband, Ron Blessinger, a violinist with the Oregon Symphony. Outside of music, she enjoys hiking, reading, soccer, gardening, cooking, playing classical guitar, and training her border collies.