Melissa Carter completed a Masters of Music Studies in 2004 at the Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium- studying with both Floyd Williams and Brian Catchlove.  She previously completed a Bachelor of Music (with First Class Honors) at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch. In 2004 she won a scholarship from Canterbury University to continue her postgraduate studies at the Queensland Conservatorium. After completing the Master of Music Studies she decided to continue studying in Queensland. She is now in her second year of a Master of Music at the Conservatorium.

She has enjoyed playing as a casual member of the Christchurch Symphony orchestra and in the New Zealand National Youth Orchestra. 

Since moving to Brisbane, she has performed as Principal clarinetist in the Conservatorium Orchestras and led the Conservatorium Wind Symphony as Concert Master. She currently teaches clarinet and saxophone at Brisbane Boys College and Redeemer Lutheran College. She is also a committee member of the Queensland Clarinet and Saxophone Society.