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"...
not only is she a great singer and arranger, she is also a fabulous
piano player and a brilliant clinician."
Anders Jalkeus
The Real Group
"I received
your book and it is truly a work of art! Talk about comprehensive!"
Bob
Stoloff
Department Chair, Berklee College of Music
"Michele
Weir represents the epitome of what an educator and artist should
be."
Dr.
Ronald McCurdy
Professor, University of Southern California
Past President, I.A.J.E.
"... she
is an awesome talent, a total pro at all times, and a joy to work
with."
Mike
Campbell
Vocal Program Director
The Musicians Institute
"Michele
is the musician's musician. She is an outstanding teacher, writer
and performer. It is very rare when you find all of these talents
in one individual. She is very good.
Gene Aitken
University of Northern Colorado
"Her knowledge
extends far beyond vocal jazz, possessing a strong understanding
of the rhythm section..."
Steve
Houghton
"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."
Phil
Mattson
"The Treatment
of "C'est Si Bon" (vocal arrangement by Michele 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.
Leonard
Feather
"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."
Jo
Scott
Founder and Producing Director
Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival
"The Vocal
Jazz ensemble thoroughly enjoyed its time with you, both in your
informative and motivating clinic and in the equally inspiring performance."
Tony Garcia
Associate Professor, Northwestern University. 
"...
the students and faculty in attendance were most impressed by your
singing, musicianship, fine piano playing, writing and communicative
skills. I have received wonderful comments from all involved regarding
your presentation."
Dennis
Tini
past president, I.A.J.E.
Music Department Chair, Wayne State University, Detroit
"I've
never found a teacher of Michele's caliber in any other colleges
I've attended."
Rae
Plaster
Member of the vocal group, Voice Trek
"Your
clinics and theory sessions were amazing, and the information given
filled in so many "blanks" in my jazz awareness and answered
many questions. You are truly generous in sharing your gifts, knowledge
and expertise with all of us. Thank-you for your clear instruction
and your patience."
Donna
Phillips
Student, Los Angeles Vocal Jazz Workshop
"...one
of its [vocal group, "Gold Company"] most fascinating
pieces was an imaginative a cappella arrangement of "Tea for Two"
[arr. Weir] in which various sorts of vocal sounds were used to
generate percussive effects."
Don
Heckman
Los Angeles Times
"It was
wonderful for the students to see a former grad with major accomplishments.
I know they are totally inspired. I also dug playing with you and
getting a chance to know you a little better. You are a fabulous
musician and quality person."
Kristin
Korb
Bass player and vocalist
Former Jazz Department Chair,Central Washington University
"I really
can't tell you how much you have inspired me. I've been so into
your book and have been telling everyone here about it. I have learned
and am learning so much from you. Michele and her book are such
an inspiration. After being at UNT's jazz vocal workshop and hearing
her speak and having a lesson with her I feel so alive and ready
really practice. To never stop learning. Thank you Michele!"
Meg Clifton
Student, University of North Texas Vocal Jazz Workshop
"I have
learned so much more in five lessons with you than in months of
lessons previously. I know that I will bring what you have taught
me into my music always. I have really enjoyed these lessons."
Sonnett
Simmons
Student, UCLA
"We learned
soooooo much--everyone felt that way--all I've gotten were raves
about the day... and concert.... one of my VERY experienced older
singers said "I've got a lot of ideas and questions now--that
was very thought provoking."
Jan
DeShera
Faculty, Mount Diablo Valley College
"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!"
Robin
King
Former Chair, Alberta Choral Federation
"Michele's
book is an invaluable resource for teacher, or for anyone wanting
to improve his/her improvisational skills." Ann Bruggemeier
WA-ACDA newsletter "Lessons with Michele have been so rewarding.
Every time I have a lesson, I am infused with creative energy."
Sharon
Yazowski
Student, Los Angeles
"Next
to hearing them in person [Phil Mattson and the P.M. Singers], I
think the album is as super as you will ever have the privelidge
to savor their sumptuous banquet of jazz vocals, blends, precision
and fresh cants and slants."
Herb
Wong
Jazz Educators Journal
"I feel
that Michele is one of the few professional educators with abilities
to advance the art form of Vocal Jazz."
John
Prince
Former director of Jazz Studies, Cal. State University, Long Beach
Former arranger for the "Tonight Show" band
"You have
established the reputation over the last few years of being the
top vocal jazz educator in the country and from your presentation...,
it is evident that you are upholding your reputation."
John
Thomas
Assistant Professor University of Southern California
"You've
helped me expand my vocal abilities in ways I'd only dreamt of.
You truly are a wonderful teacher, patient and knowledgeable, and
a real inspiration for us beginning jazz hopefuls."
Leah
Aronow-Brown
Student, Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival
"Your
workshop was a great success..."
Frederick Gersten
Music Department Chairman, University of Wyoming.
" Your
performances, music and teaching were truly inspiring. It is so
refreshing to see someone so gifted using her talents to develop
the musical lives of others."
Carey
Dyer
Student, University of North Texas Vocal Jazz Workshop
"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."
Jeremy
Fox
Faculty, Southwestern Community College
"I wanted
to thank you [Jennifer Shelton] for recommending that Vocal Improvisation
book by Michele Weir. It's very informative and well written and
has helped me along in my improvisation, to which I have become
addicted!!! It suddenly hit me how free it feels to improvise and
I can't get enough of it."
Alicia
Lynn
Student, Aebersold Jazz Workshop
"Your
spirit and giving nature made learning from you pure joy. Singing
with you in lunch Bites was... breathless."
Linda
Marchi
Student, Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival
"I was
so inspired by your expertise in jazz rhythms and chordings. I hope
I will have the opportunity to be in other workshops that you are
conducting in the near future. "
Pamela
Ellsworth-Smith
Student, IAJE Teacher Training Institute, Kansas City
"I am
really thankful that such a fine musician is willing to share her
talent and time for jazz education."
John
Chalmers
Mayfield Secondary School Brampton, Ontario
"Your
patience and kindness are appreciated. I learned a great deal in
a short amount of time."
Marcella
Wise
Student, Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival
"I wanted
to tell you again how impressed I was with your group in DC. It
was one of the finest examples of what the art form is all about."
Scott
Frederickson
"...
my perception was that folks not only recognized and appreciated
the stunning level of your artistry, but also you love of the music,
which radiated in all that you did. And, you were pleasant to work
with too boot!"
Dan
Ratelle
"...
you were incredible."
Rod
Harris
Columbia College, Sonora, California
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