The women of the Dragon Duo met in the orchestra of a high school opera production called “The Reluctant Dragon” and have been playing together ever since. They have shared some of the same teachers and played together in various orchestras and chamber groups throughout the years.

Melissa Hayes began studying violin at the age of ten. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance and a Master of Music in Violin Pedagogy from Missouri State University. She maintains her own private lesson studio, South City Strings, and freelances with local rock, country, and mariachi bands.  Melissa is a former member of the St. Louis Philharmonic and Gateway Festival Orchestra, Springfield(MO) Symphony Orchestra, Springfield Regional Opera Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of the Ozarks, and Fort Smith Symphony and has performed with the Mannheim Steamroller and Trans Siberian Orchestra.

Jenger Wollard began playing the violin at the age of 10. She graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance and holds K-12 Music teaching certifications in Texas and Missouri. Jenger has performed with the Springfield (MO) Symphony Orchestra, Springfield (MO) Regional Opera, Chamber Orchestra of the Ozarks, Austin Conspirare, Austin Gilligan and Sullivan Society, as well as Kenny Rogers and Rosemary Clooney. She currently resides in St. Louis and teaches orchestra in Rockwood School District.