BIO 
Michele Weir is a distinguished educator who has made significant contributions to the advancement of vocal jazz education, globally. As an arranger / pianist / vocalist, she is well known for her versatile skill set and ability to inspire. As one student put it, “Thank you again for being such an amazing mentor. You are truly the person I strive to be.”
Michele’s arrangements have been performed by renowned vocal groups such as New York Voices and the Swingle Singers, in addition to orchestral works played by symphonies including the Boston Pops. Michele served as Vocal Producer for the Manhattan Transfer’s 2009 CD release, The Chick Corea Songbook, contributing two arrangements to the project as well. Her numerous educational arrangements are available through various publishers in addition to her online platform, the MichMusic Store.
Currently on faculty at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Michele is an active teacher and clinician. Her expertise has taken her to over 20 countries, presenting at premier music conferences such as the World Choral Symposium, the Jazz Education Network Conference, and the ACDA National Conference. A notable highlight was her invitation to be Keynote Speaker for the inaugural International Jazz Voice Conference in Helsinki, 2015.
Michele’s educational contributions include globally recognized book/CD sets: Vocal Improvisation (Schott Music), Jazz Singer’s Handbook, and Jazz Piano Handbook (both from Alfred Publishing). Innovating further, she introduced the first iOS app designed for scat singers, ScatAbility, as well as her online educational resource, MusicHabit, designed for jazz singers, pianists, arrangers, and educators. (www.MusicHabit.com)
Michele is a former member of the Grammy-nominated PM Singers vocal group under Phil Mattson’s direction, and she collaborated with jazz guitarist Bruce Forman on their duo CD, The Sound of Music. As a performer, Michele has headlined as a vocalist for numerous educational events and toured as pianist and background singer for Bobby Vinton, among others. Michele served as Music Supervisor for the DreamWorks film, Prince of Egypt, journeying through Europe and Asia to oversee the music production for the film’s international dubs.
ARRANGING 
A prolific vocal group arranger, Michele’s works are sung by groups around the globe and her orchestral arrangements played by regional symphonies in the U.S. Other instrumental arrangements and compositions have been featured for various television programs and entertainment companies.
| MichMusic Hal Leonard Oxford Univ. Press |
Shawnee Press Sound Music Pubs Mainely A Capella |
Heritage Jazz Press U.N.C Jazz Press Alfred Publishing |
Michele has written numerous orchestral arrangements to accompany her vocal charts for Beachfront Property, New York Voices, M-Pact (coming soon), and various solo singers. Listen to examples:
(with vocal group Beachfront Property)
Here are few of her original jazz tunes:
TEACHING
Notable clinics include the World Choral Symposium, the National American Choral Directors Association (A.C.D.A.) Convention, the International Association for Jazz Education (I.A.J.E.), and many others. See a listing of Michele’s past clinics and workshops. See upcoming events on the Calendar page.- Lima, Peru; workshops and concerts for the Jazz Festival En Lima
- Taiwan; workshops and judge for Taiwan International Choral Ensemble Festival (multiple appearances)
- Tilbourg, Netherlands; adjudicator for large vocal group festival
- Copenhagen, Denmark; 2-day special workshop by invitation of the Choral Union
- Helsinki, Finland; guest lecturer at the Sibelius Academy and the Jazz/Pop Conservatory (multiple appearances)
- Amsterdam, Netherlands; special clinics at the Hilversums Conservatory
- Belgium and South Africa; World Youth Choir. Co-conductor with Steve Zegree; numerous concerts
- Silkeborg, Denmark; special clinics with local adult amateur vocal ensemble
- Vancouver, British Columbia; Soundwave Vocal Jazz Workshop (multiple appearances)
- Bologna, Italy; Vocal Jazz Workshop
- Ibbenburen, Germany; Pink Pop Jazz Workshop (multiple appearances)
- The Netherlands; Vocal Jazz Days Jazz Workshop
- Graz, Austria. Judge for vocal group competition, Vokal Total (multiple appearances)
- Guadalajara, Mexico; Tonica International Jazz Seminar
- Isla de Cerrito, Argentina; Workshops and Concerts
- Zarautz, Spain; Zarautz International Jazz Seminar
- Bonn, Germany; Vocal Jazz Workshop (with Darmon Meader and Matthias Becker)
- Inzikofen, Germany; Vocal Jazz Workshop (with New York Voices and Bob Stoloff)
- Parnu, Estonia; Conductor, Europa Canta Junior
- Numerous additional smaller clinics presented at conservatories and special events in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Austria and Germany
- The Phil Mattson Vocal Jazz Workshops (multiple locations and appearances)
- University of North Texas Vocal Jazz Workshop (Denton, Texas – multiple appearances)
- Speech Level Singing Workshop with Seth Riggs (Los Angeles – multiple appearances)
- Teacher Training Institute, sponsored by I.A.J.E. (multiple locations and appearances)
- Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival (Fairbanks, Alaska – multiple appearances)
- Jazz Camp West (La Honda, California – multiple appearances)
- The Steve Zegree Vocal Jazz Workshop (Kalamazoo, Michigan – multiple appearances)
- Swing Week (Augusta, West Virginia)
- Los Angeles Vocal Jazz Workshop (multiple appearances)
- Marin, California; Clinics for special event hosted by Primarily A Capella
- Clinics for University of Wyoming Summer Workshop for teachers (multiple appearances)
- Jason and Jeremys Boot Camp (multiple locations and appearances)
- IAJE (International Association for Jazz Education) Conference presentations (multiple locations and appearances)
- JEN (Jazz Educators Network) Conference presentations
- ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) National Conference clinic
- ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) Regional Conference clinic
- World Choral Symposium clinic
- CMEA (Cal. Music Educators Association) Conference clinics (multiple locations and appearances)
- MusicFest Canada (multiple locations and appearances)
- Rocky Mountain Festival. Clinician/adjudicator and guest artist (Banff, Alberta – multiple appearances)
- Clinics for educational tour company, Educational Field Services (Los Angeles – multiple appearances)
- Clinics for educational tour companies, National Events and World Events (Los Angeles)
- Panelist for Arts Recognition and Talent Search (Miami, Florida – multiple appearances)
- Judge for national Harmony Sweepstakes competition (San Raphael, California – multiple appearances)
- Judge for Spotlight Music Awards (Los Angeles, California)
- California All-State (2 times)
- Illinois All-State (2 times)
- Colorado All-State
- Vancouver All-Province
- Washington All-State
- Wisconsin All-State
- Rhode Island All-State
- Arizona All-State
- Oklahoma All-State
- North Dakota All-State
PERFORMING
As a vocalist, Michele has performed at numerous jazz festivals and educational events as well as being a vocal member and contributing arranger for the Grammy-nominated six-voice group, “Phil Mattson and the pm singers.” Michele is also an accomplished pianist having toured and recorded as accompanist for various artists.
Duo recording with guitarist BruceForman and Michele. Creative treatments of great tunes; liner notes by guitarist Kenny Burrell. (Available at the MichMusic Store.)
Michele’s background as a pianist includes touring internationally with various artists and bands including singer Bobby Vinton. She is a well regarded jazz singer’s accompanist.
From Mary Hylan CD: (Michele arranged and produced)
This six-voice ensemble under the leadership of pianist/educator/arranger Phil Mattson was one of the most well respected groups of its time. The pm singers performed sophisticated 6-part harmonies in live performance, the style of which had previously only been heard on recordings by groups such as Singer’s Unlimited. Michele was both a singing member and arranger for the group.
The pm singers recorded 2 albums, “Night in the City” and “Jubilee,” the latter of which was nominated for two Grammy Awards. A number of artists shared the stage with the pm singers: Bobby McFerrin, Don Shelton, Rob McConnell, Ritchie Cole and Bonnie Herman and the Airmen of Note.
QUOTES
“As we have all been fans of yours for years, it was the right time and project to give you that call… and boy was it the right call! It is with deepest heartfelt and sincere gratitude we bow to you deal Michele! We thank you for not only guiding us as vocalists, but having the patience, calm and tremendous ears to take us fearlessly to this new land! “
“You did such a great job with us – thank you!”
“I am very grateful for every moment you were there. You helped us like no one else could have! (Regarding the recording of The Chick Corea Songbook)”
“I am a huge fan of your music! I absolutely love your music! I just wanted to say thank you for your musical genius.”
“I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you that you are such an inspiring person and artist. I’m really proud of you for working so hard. It’s not easy to make a living as an artist and you really have made a great life for yourself.”