Melody Hollinger grew up surrounded by the gorgeous Appalachian Mountains of rural western Pennsylvania. Those fields and forests became her first classroom. Alongside her siblings and friends, she spent countless hours outdoors… adventuring, observing, and uncovering the quiet stories written into the land.
Stories, in fact, have always been central to Melody’s life. She loves the ones told by people and the ones revealed through landscapes, rocks, fossils, and the artifacts left behind. That love of discovery led her to Penn State University. There, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Archaeological Science with minors in soils and mapping.
After graduating in 2010, she moved to the Mojave Desert to work in Cultural Resource Management across California and Nevada.
In 2015, Melody relocated to the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina to be closer to family. Soon after, she began volunteering at the Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS). There, she transitioned from volunteer to part-time staff in 2017 and eventually to full-time Assistant Manager.
Beyond her professional work, Melody’s personal interests highlight her playful curiosity. She enjoys Star Trek, reading, renaissance fairs, experimenting with new recipes, crafting and upcycling “trash,” and building with Plus-Plus toys.
Now, as a Core Instructor with Muddy Sneakers, Melody Hollinger brings together her background in archaeology, informal education, and community engagement to help students build meaningful connections to the outdoors. She’s excited to spark curiosity, share knowledge, and guide the next generation in discovering the stories written in the land – and in themselves!