Board & Staff

Byron Schenkman (they/them) is a Queer Jewish keyboard player and scholar with a background in Historical Performance and a passion for connecting people through music. In addition to performing live on piano, harpsichord, and fortepiano, Byron can be heard on more than forty CDs, including recordings on historical instruments from the National Music Museum, Vermillion, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. They can also be heard in numerous online performances with Sound Salon.

A founding director of the Seattle Baroque Orchestra, Byron received the Erwin Bodky Award from the Cambridge Society for Early Music “for outstanding achievement in the field of early music” and they were voted “Best Classical Instrumentalist” by the readers of Seattle Weekly. Their piano playing has been described in The New York Times as “sparkling,” “elegant,” and “insightful.”

In recent seasons Byron has been a featured artist at the Boston Early Music Festival and the Vancouver Bach Festival, and they have premiered new works by Damien Geter, Caroline Shaw, and Jonathan Woody. Caroline Shaw’s Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings was dedicated to Byron. Their 2023 tour of Chile, including concerts and masterclasses in six cities, was sponsored by the Education and Culture program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. government and administered by Partners of the Americas.

Byron is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and received a master’s degree with honors in performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

ByronSchenkman.com

As Executive Director of Sound Salon, Melinda Abendroth (she/her) is dedicated to championing an organization that removes financial, physical, and cultural barriers to chamber music. She is continually inspired by Sound Salon’s unwavering commitment to living its values throughout every aspect of the organization—from accessible “pay-as-you-wish” ticketing and inclusive venues to expansive programming that pairs beloved composers with lesser-known gems. By celebrating diverse voices, global perspectives, and multifaceted 21st-century artistry, she is proud to help create performances that reflect the complexity of our modern society.

Melinda’s early administrative career includes working with the Seattle Chamber Music Society as Interim Operations Manager and summer marketing intern, as well as with the Cornish College of the Arts Summer Music Camp programs. She joined Sound Salon in 2022, where she was mentored by Margy Crosby and Byron Schenkman, stepping into the Executive Director role in 2024.

With a background in performance specializing in historical flutes and recorders, Melinda’s broader musical pursuits inform her work on period instruments, including a love for amateur baroque dancing, singing, and playing in amateur viol consorts. A dedicated educator with over 15 years of teaching experience, she loves sharing her passion for the instrument and maintains a private flute studio alongside her teaching work with the Epiphany Music Academy.

Melinda holds a Master’s in Historical Music Performance from the Royal College of Music in London, where she studied under the guidance of Rachel Brown. She also holds an Artist Diploma in Early Music and a Bachelor of Music from Cornish College of the Arts, where she studied with Janet See and Paul Taub. As a Pacific Northwest native, she loves exploring in nature; outside of her musical life, you can often find her out on a jog, skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, or backpacking through the wilderness.

What first drew you to Sound Salon, or what do you love most about our community?

I love that Sound Salon actively removes financial, physical, and cultural barriers to chamber music—living its values through pay-as-you-wish ticketing, inclusive venues, and programming that pairs beloved classics with lesser-known gems and diverse 21st-century voices.

Where did you go to school, or what foundational learning shaped your path?

I hold degrees in historical flutes and recorders, including a Master’s from the Royal College of Music in London (studying with Rachel Brown) and an Artist Diploma and Bachelor’s from Cornish College of the Arts (studying with Janet See and Paul Taub, where I also first met Byron Schenkman!).

What other communities or organizations are you involved with?

Professionally, I teach flute at Epiphany Music Academy and perform with my husband in our flute and lute duo. I’m a member of the Seattle Flute Society and National Flute Association. As an amateur, I do Baroque and Renaissance dance with Seattle Early Dance, sing, and play in viol consorts.

What is your go-to spot in or around Seattle?

The cafe at Swansons Nursery, Green Lake, the Burke-Gilman Trail, T-Mobile Park, and the Summit at Snoqualmie.

What is a creative project, craft, or art form you enjoy?

Baking pies with intricate crust designs, and knitting! Lately, I’ve loved pairing my knitting with watching baseball—though as a brand-new Mariners fan, it’s been a rough year to join the bandwagon.

How do you like to recharge or spend a day off?

I love being outdoors, whether I’m jogging, skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, backpacking through the wilderness, or strolling through the farmers market.

What is your favorite place you’ve traveled to?

Hampton Court Palace (I especially recommend visiting to see their Christmas decorations) and the Gardens at the Palace of Versailles—I’ve been many times, and it is actually where my husband proposed!

What is a scent you love, and does it remind you of anything?

Black tea with honey and oat milk. Brewing a fresh pot and cozying up with a good book or a movie marathon is the absolute best on a rainy day.

Taylor DeCastro (she/they) serves as Marketing & Operations Manager for Sound Salon. She initially stepped in to support the organization during the summer of 2025 before transitioning into her permanent staff position.

Originally from O’ahu, Hawai’i, Taylor is a freelance violinist based in Seattle. She is Concertmaster of Philharmonia Northwest, Assistant Principal Second Violin of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra, and performs in the violin sections of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Walla Walla Symphony, and Philharmonie Austin.

Taylor brings administrative experience alongside a strong performance background to inform her work at Sound Salon. She earned her Master of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Washington and graduated summa cum laude from Lawrence University, where she studied violin and studio art.

“I am profoundly grateful to Taylor for stepping in with such grace, care, and dedication during a difficult time of grief and uncertainty for Sound Salon. Having worked closely with her over these past few months, her warmth, capability, and thoughtful approach have already made a huge impact on the organization. As both an active performer and a skilled administrator, Taylor deeply understands the power of music in connecting communities, and I am so thrilled to welcome her to our team in a permanent role as we look ahead to an inspiring new season.” — Melinda Abendroth, Executive Director

“I feel so lucky to join an organization whose mission I believe in wholeheartedly. Every day, I am inspired by the leadership of Melinda and Byron, and by the passion of Sound Salon’s supporters. I look forward to giving back to my community and finding ways to expand our reach, while prioritizing the longevity of the organization.” — Taylor DeCastro