Bio
Michele is one of the leading figures in vocal jazz today. She has earned international recognition through a diverse set of talents as arranger, teacher, singer and pianist.
Michele's vocal arrangements are performed by The Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, The Swingle Singers, M-Pact, Beachfront Property, Chanticleer, Voice Trek and her orchestral works played by the Boston Pops, the Buffalo, Cincinnati and Pacific Symphonies, and others. Michele's educational arrangements are distributed by various publishers, including her own online publishing company, MichMusic. She was Vocal Producer for the Manhattan Transfer¹s 2009 CD release, Chick Corea Songbook, and her arrangements or compositions have been featured on the Shari Lewis TV show, Disney's 101 Dalmations Sing-along CD, and the Holland America Cruise line.
Currently serving on the faculty of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Michele taught previously at USC, CSU Long Beach, and the Phil Mattson School. Highly respected as a teacher and clinician, her work has taken her to more than 22 countries around the globe. Recent notable presentations include the World Choral Symposium, the IAJE Conference, and the ACDA National Conference. Michele's educational book/CD sets, "Vocal Improvisation" and "Jazz Singer's Handbook" are available worldwide. Her new book/CD Set, "Jazz Piano Handbook " (Alfred Pubs.) was released in January, 2008.
Michele is often featured as guest vocalist at educational jazz festivals and is a former member of the Grammy-nominated vocal group, The PM Singers. As a pianist, she has toured extensively with a variety of artists, including singer Bobby Vinton. In her role as Music Supervisor for the DreamWorks film, Prince of Egypt, she journeyed through Europe and Asia overseeing music production for the film's foreign language dubs. Her solo CD with jazz guitarist Bruce Forman is titled, "The Sound of Music."
Michele is a member of S.A.G., A.F.T.R.A., A.S.C.A.P. and N.A.R.A.S.
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Quotes
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"Your chart was my absolute favorite piece we did over the Holidays...I adore you and your talent." "I want you to know how much I appreciate your work in Lima. You really did something special and I think it will make a big difference in many lives. Thanks!" "The Treatment of "C'est Si Bon" (arr. Weir) does not attempt to duplicate the earthiness of Eartha Kitt's famous version; it has its own character. Note particularly those last three chords; they are the essence of the [P.M.] Singer's sophistication. "... not only is she a great singer and arranger, she is also a fabulous piano player and a brilliant clinician." "I just want to tell you how much I appreciated my lessons with you; I think you're a marvelous teacher!" "I received your book and it is truly a work of art! Talk about comprehensive!" "We count ourselves to be very fortunate to have a clinician of her caliber on our faculty. The quality of her work is world class. Under her direction, out Festival Vocal Jazz Ensemble has progressed through several levels and is now one of our top performance groups." Vic Varner Beaufort High School "I've never found a teacher of Michele's caliber in any other colleges I've attended." 
"You have been an amazing mentor, clinician, teacher, conductor...You took a group of 16 average singers with beautiful basic voices and breathed the life of jazz into their souls. You have inspired them to move forward in their now passionate search for more. Your love and dedication for vocal jazz has been so fully incorporatd into this festival week that every one of the 16 is now a true "believer" and a richer young musician." "Thanks for all your patience and for opening my brains to swing, scat, ... jazz! I appreciate and admire all your work, a lot!" "I have heard only positive and enthusiastic response to your workshops in Calgary and Red Deer and to your sessions at the Alberta Music Conference in Edmonton. You are certainly popular and well respected in Alberta!" "We learned soooooo much--everyone felt that way--all I've gotten were raves about the day... and concert...." "Michele, your teaching personality is a gift that many do not possess. Thank you, Thank you, thank you!" |
"I'm excited to use your Vocal Jazz Handbook next spring with my Vocal Jazz Techniques class. It's just PERFECT!! Wow - You put this together wonderfully!" "I really haven't been so inspired in years as I felt after your classes." "Hi Michele, I just wanted to thank you for being such an incredible teacher and mentor to me for the past three years and hopefully for many more to come.... Just wanted to thank you for teaching me pretty much everything I know thus far,..." "...I still get chills thinking about your performance of "You've Changed" at Carnegie Hall last April. Wow! It was awesome! There is no other way to describe it." "...you are the greatest teacher I have ever had. You are such a sweet and kind person and I feel very fortunate that I met you and worked with you!"
"I just wanted to let you know how much my students enjoy the improv book! They are no longer AFRAID to improv! It's actually the way we begin rehearsals...to get warmed up and loosened up!" "Her musical understanding is solid, she is extremely creative, her keyboard skills are exceptional, she is a fine improviser, and she is one of the best vocal arrangers writing today in the jazz idiom." "...one of its [vocal group, "Gold Company"] most fascinating pieces was an imaginative a cappella arrangement of 'Tea for Two...' [arr. Weir]" "Michele, I just wanted you to know what a profound impact you've had on my life since last summer... I'm so thankful for the spark you lit in me that I am searching for some way to repay you for it.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you." "I had only wanted to tell you that at a time when I really needed guidance, your presence at a clinic/concert really changed the path of my life in a most wonderful way (which I'm sure you've done for many others). So for that I am grateful." "We've just started our school year and I'm already using some of the techniques you taught us on improvising. It's working like a charm. You are AWESOME!" "... she is an awesome talent, a total pro at all times, and a joy to work with." "I just got your vocal improv book in the mail and I am SO EXCITED to use it in my high school vocal jazz ensemble. It's as if you knew exactly what I needed to make vocal jazz fun and stimulating for my students. Muchas Gracias!!!" "What a great workshop you taught today - I got almost as much out of listening and watching you work with others as I did the individual instruction I got from you." "Thank you so much for writing the jazz piano handbook. You make concepts very doable without overwhelming the student.
...your book was the first book that I've come across that actually made things less daunting!" |
