Melissa Vázquez Cartwright is a bilingual songwriter, vocal coach, and performing artist with over 25 years of experience across television, radio, studio, and musical theatre. As the founder of MVC Performance in Newport News, VA, she specializes in helping artists bring emotional depth and authenticity to their performances. Her songwriting spans pop, ballads, worship music, musical theatre, rock, and bilingual songs in English and Spanish. Melissa has written jingles and commercial ads, created musical arrangements for school and community arts programs, and composed personal songs for both live performance and studio recordings. She brings a strong sense of storytelling, musicality, and vocal nuance to every collaboration. A proud “Georgia-Rican” - born in Puerto Rico and raised in Atlanta - Melissa holds a B.S. in Music with a concentration in vocal pedagogy and music ministry. She continues to work with singers around the world through private coaching, online programs, and her podcast, Passionate Performer PODCAST - while also performing regionally. Website: mvcperformance.com Instagram: @mvcperformance YouTube: MVC Performance TikTok: @mvcperformance Facebook: mvcperformance

Melissa V. Cartwright

Melissa Vázquez Cartwright is a bilingual songwriter, vocal coach, and performing artist with over 25 years of experience across television, radio, studio, and musical theatre. As the founder of MVC Performance in Newport News, VA, she specializes in helping artists bring emotional depth and authenticity to their performances. Her songwriting spans pop, ballads, worship music, musical theatre, rock, and bilingual songs in English and Spanish. Melissa has written jingles and commercial ads, created musical arrangements for school and community arts programs, and composed personal songs for both live performance and studio recordings. She brings a strong sense of storytelling, musicality, and vocal nuance to every collaboration. A proud “Georgia-Rican” - born in Puerto Rico and raised in Atlanta - Melissa holds a B.S. in Music with a concentration in vocal pedagogy and music ministry. She continues to work with singers around the world through private coaching, online programs, and her podcast, Passionate Performer PODCAST - while also performing regionally. Website: mvcperformance.com Instagram: @mvcperformance YouTube: MVC Performance TikTok: @mvcperformance Facebook: mvcperformance

Available to hire

Melissa Vázquez Cartwright is a bilingual songwriter, vocal coach, and performing artist with over 25 years of experience across television, radio, studio, and musical theatre. As the founder of MVC Performance in Newport News, VA, she specializes in helping artists bring emotional depth and authenticity to their performances.

Her songwriting spans pop, ballads, worship music, musical theatre, rock, and bilingual songs in English and Spanish. Melissa has written jingles and commercial ads, created musical arrangements for school and community arts programs, and composed personal songs for both live performance and studio recordings. She brings a strong sense of storytelling, musicality, and vocal nuance to every collaboration.

A proud “Georgia-Rican” - born in Puerto Rico and raised in Atlanta - Melissa holds a B.S. in Music with a concentration in vocal pedagogy and music ministry. She continues to work with singers around the world through private coaching, online programs, and her podcast, Passionate Performer PODCAST - while also performing regionally.

Website: mvcperformance.com
Instagram: @mvcperformance
YouTube: MVC Performance
TikTok: @mvcperformance
Facebook: mvcperformance

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Language

English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Fluent

Work Experience

Bilingual Voice Over Artist at Outlier
April 1, 2025 - Present
Voice training in English & Spanish for AI models
Bilingual Voice Over Artist at Outlier
April 1, 2025 - Present
Voice training in English & Spanish for AI models
Podcast Host at Passionate Performer Podcast
February 1, 2023 - Present
Writer, producer, editor, and host of the Passionate Performer Podcast. A show for performing artists looking to solve some of their biggest mindset, singing, and industry challenges - and knowing which action steps to take next.
Professional Singer at Various organizations/events
January 10, 2003 - Present
Regional theaters, concerts, cabarets, events
Artist in Residence - Music at York County School of the Arts
February 8, 2016 - June 5, 2022
Provided music theory, composition, arranging, musical direction, and vocal training for high school singers/actors - grades 6th - 12th.
Voice Over Artist at C2 Technologies
August 1, 2011 - December 12, 2014
Narrator for educational web courses and marketing presentations for both military and civilian markets.
Program Manager/On-Air Host at Gospel Music Channel
January 31, 2007 - January 25, 2010
Scheduling of all music programming for the network in addition to creative for network interstitials; part-time on-air host for network programs and commercials
PRO-Team Coordinator at WVFJ FM - Atlanta
March 1, 2002 - January 8, 2007
Script writer/editor for ad production; scheduler of music/sales programming; on-air host ; on-site coordinator for marketing events.

Education

Bachelor of Science at Point University
August 24, 1998 - December 9, 2022
Vocal Pedagogy/Music Ministry

Qualifications

Vocalab Vocal Educator Certification
March 5, 2022 - April 5, 2022
National Association of Teachers of Singers
October 12, 2002 - October 12, 2002
Musical Theatre Finalist
Henry Awards
September 13, 2002 - September 13, 2002
Best Actress - "Lucy" in Jekyll & Hyde
Babbie Mason Songwriting Conference Finalist
May 3, 2002 - May 3, 2002
Coastal Magazine's Reader's Choice Award
June 1, 2023 - June 1, 2025
Best Music School

Industry Experience

Computers & Electronics, Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Retail, Telecommunications, Other
    paper Passionate Performer Podcast

    ¡Hola! I’m Melissa V. Cartwright - Latin singer, songwriter, actress, voice coach, and passionate performer just like you. Over the past 25 years, I’ve navigated the ups and downs of life as both a hobby and professional vocalist—and I’m still at it. In this podcast, we’ll tackle the challenges we face - from forgotten lyrics and shaky nerves to vocal fatigue and booking gigs.

    Think of me as your voice coach and partner-in-crime, here to help you problem solve so that you shine and show up as the best version of yourself. We’re in this TOGETHER, so grab your café or put me in your headphones. Let’s take the next right step toward performing with freedom, confidence, and JOY.

    Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Amazon Music, and YouTube.

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLISs-gsfvsnRr8bYLiLT-v4J95y2a2cGi&si=7K4xzVtJyj8DpziN

    paper Tidewater Artist Showcase

    Singer & keyboard player for the Tidewater Arts Outreach - a non-profit that exists to connect the elderly and the disabled with visual & performing arts initiatives in Eastern Virginia.

    paper Pelagius The Musical - Eveline

    Originating the role of “Eveline” in PELAGIUS: A New Musical

    Book by Mark Smith
    Music by Gungor
    Music direction by Christopher Brent Davie
    Choreography by Mandy Corbett

    Premiere: September 8, 2023 at The Legacy Theatre in Tyrone, GA

    paper In The Heights - Daniela's Carnaval del Barrio

    A collection of actresses who’ve played “Daniela” in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights. Mine is featured in the 2017 production (at 24:29 in).