Parker Melvin holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education with honors from the University of North Texas, a Master's degree in Trumpet Performance from The Juilliard School, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Performance from the University of Illinois. He joined the faculty of Eastern Illinois University in 1991, where he holds the rank of full Professor, is a member of the prestigious Honors Faculty, and is Director of the Instrumental Division.

A Performing Artist for Edwards Trumpets since 1998, Parker is an active soloist, recitalist, and clinician. He has performed and given clinics throughout Illinois as leader of the Eastern Brass Quintet and as the featured soloist with numerous school and regional bands and orchestras. He has presented solo recitals and masterclasses at universities in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. His extensive orchestral career includes serving as Principal Trumpet of the Danville (IL) Symphony Orchestra and Second / Associate Principal Trumpet of the Champaign-Urbana (IL) Symphony. He has also performed with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Sinfonia da Camera, the Queens (NY) Philharmonic, the New York Trumpet Ensemble, and the Chicago Chamber Brass.

Parker's students have won competitions at the local, national, and international levels and include a winner of the 2001 International Trumpet Guild Mock Orchestral Competition, semifinalist at the 2000 Maurice André Competition in Paris, France, and winner of the Collegiate Jazz Division of the 1998 National Trumpet Competition. His former students have gone on to be highly successful performers, doctoral candidates, and educators at the public school and collegiate levels.