Teaching
In addition to her work as a performer, Michaela is a noted music coach, speaker and educator. Apply to work with Michaela for Songwriting Program or private lessons below
Michaela received a BFA in Jazz Vocal Performance from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music as well as a BA in Social Inquiry from Eugene Lang College in New York, NY. After tutoring through college, Michaela began offering private lessons in 2009. Her focus was and has continued to be on Vocal technique, health and performance as well as beginner guitar, piano and songwriting with clients ranging in age from 4 to 60. She has worked in New York City public schools through various arts programs including Brooklyn Philharmonic's SmartArts, providing music classes to under-served students ages kindergarten through 8th grade. Michaela is currently based out of Nashville, TN where she offers in person as well as Zoom coaching sessions to students throughout the country.
In addition to private sessions, Michaela has regularly offered workshops and lectures around the country on songwriting, vocal performance and technique as well as vocal health. Combining both of Michaela's degrees, her topics can range from strictly music based to having a broader focus including lectures on caring for yourself, nurturing self-esteem and using music and one's voice as a creative outlet and a vital, healthy source for expression. She focuses on developing confidence through music as well as building our capacity for empathy through sharing our stories.
Michaela offers a popular 6 month 1:1 Songwriting Mentorship Program twice a year starting in September and then again in January as well as online group workshops a couple times a year.
Student testimonials
"Michaela taught my 2 children Piano, Guitar & voice for over 2 years. Zach was 12 and Zeren was 8 at the time. She is very patient with children and was able to identify where their strengths were and tap into their passions for music individually, for my son rock & roll and for my daughter country folk…two very different genres but Michaela was able to handle them both successfully. Michaela is a disciplined teacher and set her expectations with the kids directly and they both loved her. Her overall musical ability allowed my daughter to finally feel comfortable singing in front of others and nurtured her to the point where she felt confident enough to actually sign up for her schools talent show! I highly recommend Michaela to anyone looking for a GREAT music teacher, wish she never left NYC “
- Tahira, parent of students, Brooklyn, NY
“Working with Michaela has made me a better writer. Half of the songs I’m recording on my upcoming record are from writing in her program. It has helped me realize the value of editing. Not just settling for words but digging deeper and really making sure every word counts.”
- Nels, adult student from Portland, OR
“I have only wonderful things to say about Michaela as my voice teacher. In the two years I studied with her in Brooklyn I not only improved my technique; I learned to sing from my heart, connect deeply with the lyrics, find my unique voice, and most importantly to me, to relax, get over my fears and nerves and just enjoy singing. Honestly, sometimes I think it was more therapy than lesson. She just has this way of making you feel safe and opening you up, and then you discover all these beautiful places in your voice you didn’t know were there. She is awesome. The best. Can’t recommend her enough.”
- Mark, adult student, Brooklyn, NY
Songwriting testimonials
"She writes about the highs and lows of love with insight that exceeds her years. Her soprano is reminiscent of Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton, and her songwriting shows promise of reaching those heights, too." - CMT Edge
“Anne isn’t afraid to embrace cinematic strings over classic country instrumentation, but keeps her glassy quiver and introspective lyrical approach at the core of Desert Dove.” - Rolling Stone Country
“Captivating vocals… stunning” - Billboard
Notable Lectures & Experience
Private lessons - 2009 to present
Folk Alliance Coordinator of Songwriting Department for Inaugural year of Camp - 2013
Miles of Music Camp - Voice Teacher - 2013 to 2015
Culver Academy Voice and Songwriting - 2014 to 2015 (view Michaela's talk here)
Culver Academy Summer Program Songwriting Class - 2016
Assistant Director and Teacher at Summer Voices - Community Music School of Springfield, MA - 2018
Songwriting Accolades
Telluride Troubador finalist - 2012 & 2013
Merlefest's Chris Austin Songwriting Competition finalist - 2013
Kerrville New Folk contest - 2013
Michaela has gone from contest entrant to judge for both the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest & the American Songwriter Lyric Contest.