Melissa Perley is an author, cellist, private teacher, farmer, mother and business owner. Her first children’s book, The Violin Family, won a national award and her cello blog was placed in the top 10 nationally for music blogs; as a cellist she has performed music of various genres including a series of solo concerts with world recognized classical pianist Vladimir Odinokikh; as a teacher she maintains a full private cello studio and is head adjudicator of low strings for the Vermont All-State Music Festival; she is the owner of Too Fewe Farm which sells fresh eggs and beautiful blankets made from her sheep’s wool. It is on this small farm where she works as a shepherd alongside her three border collies. As a mother, she has raised four sons, all of whom have been successful at following their passion. She is co-owner of Paul Perley Cellos which sells and restores bowed instruments globally.
Her blogs, relating experiences in her teaching and farming, have resonated with people everywhere, including those who have never played a note of music or moved a shovel full of manure.
In this series, entitled A Life In Vermont, Perley opens a window into a life of purpose. A keen observer of the minutiae, she encourages readers to look more deeply into their own lives for purpose and meaning by sharing her life experiences, successes and failures.