Meet the Musicians: Melissa Woodroffe

Get to know our video game-obsessed Principal Contrabassoon, Melissa Woodroffe and learn about the radio segment that changed her career path.

Melissa grew up in Brisbane and was enjoying a busy and vibrant freelance career in Sydney when she won the dual role of Principal Contrabassoon and Tutti Bassoon with the TSO in 2024.

The move to Hobart enabled her to set out on an exciting new chapter – enjoying the lifestyle of Tasmania and the community of the TSO.

Melissa calls herself ‘borderline obsessive’ about video games and when she's not performing or practicing, there's a fair chance she'll be spending what she calls ‘quality time’ with her PlayStation.

She loves good wine and food, although declares that blue cheese is 'the worst thing that anyone could serve me'.

'I love food and going to restaurants, but hate cooking … however, I am oddly addicted to cooking shows,' Melissa says.

When not playing (bassoon or PlayStation) she enjoys spending time with friends, travelling, hanging with the cat, watching tv and exercising – usually a spin class, boxing, or the gym.

Melissa admits she wishes she knew earlier ‘what a bassoon was’ so she could have started playing the instrument sooner.

As a kid, she tried every instrument – starting piano at three and even giving bagpipes and recorder a try.

While studying clarinet at the University of Queensland, Melissa happened to catch a radio segment that ultimately changed the direction of her career.

It was Adelaide Symphony Orchestra principal Mark Gaydon talking about the bassoon solo in Shostakovich 9 – followed by the piece being played on air.

‘I realised then that I needed to quit the clarinet and do bassoon instead,’ she says.

Melissa studied at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and took part in Sydney Symphony’s Sinfonia and Fellowship programs.

Earlier in her studies, she was principal bassoon with the Queensland Youth Symphony, and attended National Music Camp with the Australian Youth Orchestra – experiences that cemented her love of orchestral playing.

While freelancing in Sydney, Melissa performed with the Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland and Tasmanian symphony orchestras, Orchestra Victoria, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra (now Opera Australia Orchestra).