Mary-Louise (Mel) Hinch was born in 1956 in Toronto, Ontario. Her adoptive parents, both high school teachers, raised her and her adopted brother in Timmins. Mel graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an Honors BA in English and Music, and proceeded to teach high school in Ajax and Barrie, Ontario, as well as in Brussels, Belgium. In addition to her career in formal education, Mel has worked simultaneously in other areas as well: as a professional singer, a private voice teacher, a church choir director, a choral workshop director, a music director of amateur musical theatre productions, a children's musical theatre camp director, a performing arts groups' tour director, and a newsletter editor. She has just retired from teaching in Barrie, where she lives with husband, soul mate, and number one supporter, Michael, and their recently rescued feline, Charlie....
