Michael F.

General Info

• Certified Music Teacher

  Certified Music Teacher

  Our rigorous hiring process requires a completed application; an interview with our professional recruiting specialists; personal and professional reference checks; and annual criminal background checks for the duration of each teacher's employment with us.

  
• Background Check Complete

  Criminal Background Check

  In order to ensure the safety of our students, all teachers undergo a thorough criminal background check, which includes: Social Security number trace, multi-state criminal search and a nationwide sex offender registry search.

  
• Levels: Beginner to Advanced

• In-Home Lessons: No
• In-Studio Lessons: Yes
• Ages: 5 & up

Subjects Taught

Singing, Music Performance, Music Recording, Music Theory, Songwriting, Theatrical Broadway Singing, Acting

Education

Berklee College of Music - Professional Music - 2002-2006 (Bachelor's degree received)

Specialties

As a vocal coach I specialize in contemporary styles including but not limited to jazz, R&B, pop, rock and country. I also work with Broadway singers. I utilize a wide variety of methods including the Vaccai, Master Vocal Exercises, Bel Canto, Nadia Boulanger Interval Training, Melodia, Wedge and Alexander Technique for physicality. For coaching songwriters I defer to methods taught at Berklee College of Music's professional songwriting department. These include a variety of creative writing ... exercises including but not limited to, stream of consciousness, dream log, word association, rhyme scheme, levels of dialogue and lyric interpretation.

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Lesson Details

Students can expect an informal and friendly session that centers around breathing techniques, vocal improvisation and practical song applications. Each session is individually tailored to my student's specific needs at the moment, while keeping in mind the long term goals of strength and longevity.

About

If you've listened to the radio, chances are you’ve heard Michael. Lending both his speaking and singing voice to commercials, documentaries, and albums, he has quickly become a presence in the vocal community. A native of Long Island, New York, Michael has been fortunate enough to share the stage with performers such as Livingston Taylor, Chaka Khan, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Tuck and Patti, Bobby McFerrin and, most recently, Melissa Etheridge. His students include TV actors of acclaimed ... series such as "Rescue Me" and "Guiding Light" and members of several Broadway musical casts including "Spring Awakening", "Chicago" and "Phantom Of The Opera". As a songwriter, Michael's music has appeared on the FX network program "Rescue Me" and has co written a full length studio album with "Rescue Me" actor Michael Lombardi. As an educator, Michael offers some thoughts on the craft in a recent article:

"We are not merely instructing in the way of musical composition or performance, we are learning together how to accept and utilize this amazing gift we’ve been given. We are tapping into our emotional reserves with our students and together we are trying to discover why and where the music is taking us... It is not about opera or rock or r&b as genres, it is about the craft of singing and the emotional use of the voice in general."

A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Michael has delved deeply into the reciprocal emotional connection that binds singer to song and audience. It was during his course of study in college that Michael began his teaching career and has since developed a unique approach to teaching both technique and performance. His application of emotional sense memory, technical skill and improvisation set him apart from the usual perception of a vocal coach. His belief in each individual's ability and his understanding of their needs truly serve their artistry in a way that it seldom seen.

"We didn't choose this...the skill, the art. The music chose you. Now you have to decide how you can best serve yourself and in doing so, best serve the music. We are all so very different in our approach to this thing we do. However, it's not about being different for the sake of being different. It's about being the most honest version of yourself that you can possibly be...that will serve you and your audience better than anything...technique is great, but not at the expense of expression."

Michael’s individualized style and approach to both performing and teaching have made him a highly sought after commodity for those wishing to improve their artistry. He continues to work commercially as a singer, composer, lyricist and educator. His music will be heard in the upcoming season of the hit television series “Rescue Me”. Of all his numerous endeavors though, he considers his role as an educator the most prestigious and rewarding of all.

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Michael's Photos

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