Melanie Doane

Melanie Doane is a Canadian singer, songwriter, actress, and music educator.

Early years Daughter of J. Chalmers Doane, a music educator and member of the Order of Canada, Doane learned many instruments at a young age, including piano, bass guitar, mandolin, guitar, violin. After high school, she studied music at Dalhousie University with the intention of becoming a music teacher. Her career path changed after she received a role in Neptune Theatre's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1986. She was cast regularly in productions at Neptune for two years before moving to Toronto in 1988. Over the next few years Doane played roles in various theatre productions, including Fire! and Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story on Broadway.

Music career In 1993, Doane released the EP Harvest Train independently. Some of the songs drew the attention of Sony Music Canada, and she was signed to the label. She recorded her debut album, Shakespearean Fish in 1996.

Pat Donnelly of Postmedia News wrote: The manner in which traditional songs (performed principally, in this production by the multi-talented Melanie Doane, who does wonders with voice and violin) are deftly woven into the narrative, uplifting it into anthem, is masterful.

Song placements Being Erica – "Every Little Thing" (3 episodes) Flashpoint – "Chopin Ballad" Brothers and Sisters – "Good Gifts" Buffy The Vampire Slayer – "I Can't Take My Eyes Off You" Dawson's Creek – "Bionic" Party of Five – "Absolutely Happy", "Waiting for the Tide" That's Life – "Way Past Blue", "Still Desire You", "You Are What You Love", "Bionic", "I Can't Take My Eyes Off You" Baywatch Hawaii – "I Can't Take My Eyes Off You" Resurrection Blvd – "Absolutely Happy", "Waiting for the Tide", "I Can't Take My Eyes Off You", "How You Cried", "Good Gifts" Prom Queen: The Marc Hall Story – "You Are What You Love" Santa Baby – "Happy Together" Servitude – "How Can a Girl"

Music education/Doane Uschool

In 2009–2010, Melanie volunteered to teach a small group of students at her children's school in Toronto using the method of ukulele instruction established by her father, J. Chalmers Doane in the 1960s. Now a registered charity, Doane Uschool (www.uschool.ca) teaches over 1000 students each week in schools throughout Toronto and Nova Scotia. Melanie lends exposure to her groups through concerts, recording projects with artists like Jann Arden and Barenaked Ladies, appearances in the PanAm Games, with Chris Hadfield in the International Space Station, the CBC Music Festival and the 2018 Luminato Festival.

Ukulele U

In 2022, Doane's new children's show Ukulele U debuted on CBC Television and CBC Gem. She co-created the show with legendary music producer Bob Ezrin.

In addition to hosting the show, Doane is also an executive producer, writer, and composer on the show. She received two Canadian Screen Award nominations at the 11th Canadian Screen Awards in 2023, for Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series and Best Original Song in Television for "Use Your Outside Voice", alongside her brother Creighton and Bob Ezrin.

Discography

Albums 1993: Harvest Train 1996: Shakespearean Fish 1998: Adam's Rib 2001: Melvin Live 2003: You Are What You Love 2008: A Thousand Nights 2011: The Emerald City

Awards and nominations 1999 Won for Best New Solo Artist - Juno Awards 1999 Won for Most Charted Rock Artist for "Adam's Rib" - Canadian Radio Music Awards 1999 Nominated for Album of The Year for "Adam's Rib" - East Coast Music Awards 1999 Nominated for Best Pop/Rock Artist - East Coast Music Awards 1999 Nominated for Single of The Year for "Adam's Rib" - East Coast Music Awards 1999 Nominated for SOCAN Songwriter of The Year for "Adam's Rib" - East Coast Music Awards 1999 Nominated for Best New Artist - East Coast Music Awards 2003 Won for Best International Actress (for "Black Swan") - New York International Independent Film and Video Festival 2004 Nominated for Entertainer of The Year - East Coast Music Awards 2004 Nominated for Best Pop Recording for "You Are What You Love" - East Coast Music Awards 2004 Nominated for Best Female Artist - East Coast Music Awards