Melanie Lançon
Flute
American flutist Melanie Lançon was appointed Principal Flute of the Auckland Philharmonia in 2018 and made her solo debut with the orchestra in 2020.
Inspired by a Baton Rouge Symphony concert she attended at age 12 in her hometown, Melanie began flute lessons shortly thereafter and has devoted her career to orchestral performance ever since. Nine years later, she returned to the orchestra that first sparked her passion—this time as its Principal Flute. She went on to appear as Principal with many of America's leading ensembles, including the Seattle, San Diego, Pacific, and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestras. Additionally, she has held positions with Utah Symphony, Central City Opera, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, National Repertory Orchestra, and the National Orchestral Institute. As a Fellow of the New World Symphony in Miami, Melanie worked closely with Artistic Director Michael Tilson Thomas, who described her as "a beguiling player, full of spontaneity." Her collaborations include a myriad of celebrated conductors and artists such as Pierre Boulez, Daniel Barenboim, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Renée Fleming, Yo-Yo Ma, and Itzhak Perlman.
Melanie enjoys a diverse career as a teacher, clinician, and chamber musician in New Zealand. She served as Juror for the 2019 Gisborne International Music Competition and 2026 NZCT Chamber Music Contest, and toured nationally with Chamber Music New Zealand in 2021.