AMHERST, N.Y. — Dr. Melissa White has played the violin for pretty much her whole life. She started at the age of 6 — it was a Sesame Street episode that inspired her.

"Playing music means the world. It literally means that we can share and feel emotions that don't need to have words put to them. But I love it so much because it's an international language," White said.

In addition to teaching at the University at Buffalo, Melissa also is part of the string quartet called the Harlem Quartet. The quartet joined forces with a wind quintet called Imani Winds, a jazz trio, and a poet on the album called “Passion for Bach and Coltrane.” The album was nominated for a Grammy Award, so the entire ensemble headed to Los Angeles.

"They say 'and the Grammy goes to' and they get ready to open the envelope. I was ready to applaud for everybody else that had been on the screen because they were they're so well known. They're wonderful artists. I really enjoy what they do. So then when I saw my album cover and heard the first piece of passion, my heart dropped," she said.

This is Melissa’s second Grammy, and her first trophy and her first time attending the prestigious awards ceremony. She feels it’s surreal because she never dreamed of winning a Grammy. 

"Now it just is inspiring to keep going, to keep creating and to keep making music. Not even to win, but just to be a part of this spectacular creative journey that so many people are on. And I mean, especially in today's world, that we all need so much," she said.

Melissa’s advice to other aspiring artists: Be yourself and share your story.

"Your story is worth telling is worth portraying, and is worth hearing. And I know a lot of times, particularly female voices don't get heard. And so I would just say, use that megaphone so that your voice can be heard and to never back down because. The power is in telling your story. And we deserve to have that power," she said.

The Grammy-winning ensemble will play “Passion for Bach and Coltrane” at UB on April 25.