Meet Your Neighbor

Maria Smith

by Angela Evans

Maria Smith has many titles, mother, wife, businesswoman, but the one she is most known as is music teacher. Smith is the director at Melody Makers, a studio that teaches infants and preschool aged children fun and innovative classes. On any given day, you can find her encouraging children through song and dance! Smith has taught thousands of children since it opened nearly 30 years ago! It is a job she loves, but says it is really more of an extension of her family life.

Smith grew up in nearby Lynchburg, Virginia. She and her husband moved to Roanoke in 1991 and have been here ever since. “My husband and I fell in love with Roanoke when we moved here in 1991. We knew Roanoke was where we wanted to raise our family and felt it would be a perfect place for me to begin Melody Makers,” Smith said.

Melody Makers started in 1993. It is a program for babies, toddler, and young children to learn music, art, and science. “I have always loved working with preschool-age children and teaching music. Beginning Melody Makers in Roanoke gave me the opportunity to do both. It was also the perfect small business when my children were young as it allowed me to spend more time with them and have more flexibility. Then, as my children grew up, Melody Makers was able to expand and grow as well. We now teach over 200 students a week at our Brambleton Studio location and have begun offering classes in Daleville as well,” she said.

At Melody Makers’ classes, children from age five months to five years play instruments, sing songs, interact with puppets, create art, and do science experiments and activities. Smith enjoys sharing her love of music with young minds but also helping them grow. She said, “Our goal is to help children gain confidence, build social skills and begin to love learning.” The classes focus on social development, gross motor activities, early language skills and more. Outside of Melody Makers, Smith raised her own family. She and her husband have four children, and she is proud of all of them.

“Our oldest, Sarah, is a Labor and Delivery nurse at Carilion and is married to Mike who is a Roanoke City Elementary PE teacher. Our son, Ryan, is a Mechanical Engineer and now lives in Chattanooga with his fiancé, Aubrey. Our son, Eric, just graduated from Virginia Tech this year and is pursuing a Financial Planning Career in Charlotte. Our youngest, Hannah, is studying Elementary Education and hopes to teach in the Roanoke Valley after graduation next year. She also helps me with Melody Makers during the summer, “Smith said. Their family also includes two dogs, and they are expecting their first grandchild in November!

When she is not teaching classes at Melody Makers, Smith loves being with

her family and her dogs. She said some of her favorite places are the park and trails at Fishburn Park and taking their dogs to the Salem Dog Park. She also enjoys getting to know people. She said, “I absolutely love the people here. Everyone is so friendly, and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to impact this community.”

Smith and her workers at Melody Makers spend time outside of their Brambleton studio. She says they do whatever they can for all children in the community to learn about music and its benefits. They have taught classes at the Rescue Mission, visited children in area hospitals, held fundraising benefits, and offered scholarships to families who need it. Smith says her staff cares as much as she does. Together they help children grow confidence and abilities. “Our staff is absolutely wonderful. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with. We feel like we have the best job ever and are so grateful for the opportunity we have as teachers,” she said.

Smith’s students are what make Melody Makers into what it is. She has watched students grow from babies to adults in her decades of teaching and running Melody Makers. She considers them all more than just a student at her music school but rather an extension of her family. She connects with the parents as well. “We have the most amazing students and families. It is so fun watching the children grow up. We really begin to feel like everyone is family after being a part of their lives week after week,” she said.

Smith has no plans of slowing down. They are teaching hundreds of children each week at the Brambleton studio and have started classes in Daleville. Smith says plans to keep spreading joy while children enhance their love for music and learning!

You and your family can meet Maria at

Melody Makers 3540 Brambleton Ave Roanoke, Virginia or 135 Commons Pkwy Daleville, Virginia melodymakersroanoke.com

The best Beach Party in the Valley returns