Melissa Dodson (mandolin, occasional vocal) played with the Messengers for four years and played infrequently after she attended Appalachian State University where she majored in mathematics. Her musical influences include her mother and grandfather. She grew up listening to bluegrass most of her life.
Dodson, who studied with Richard Matteson, played the mandolin for a year or two before she played with the Bluegrass Messengers. She also played in church for the Sunday church services. Some of her favorite bluegrass performers are Bill Monroe, Ricky Scaggs, and Allison Krauss.
Currently Melissa is a teacher in Stokes County.