Michelle

Hi there, my name is Michelle and I'm a music-lover, singer, performer, songwriter, workshop-leader, music producer, dj, and music-educator. I've worked with [mostly] young people teaching music for the last decade, and I love it! For me, music is so much more than just an artform. It's a tool to express ourselves, to play, and to access joy, freedom, vitality, and love. I love Pop, Jazz, Dance Music, Electronic Music, Indi and Classical Music. Sometimes, I want to dance to House music at a festival till 2am, sometimes I want to lie down on the grass listening to classical music, and sometimes, I want to listen to some pure pop like Dua Lipa or Chappell Roan - it depends on my mood. It brings me joy to help others engage with, explore and learn music. I make my own Pop/Dance music under the name Michelle Nova. You can find me on all streaming platforms.

Tutoring Experience

I've been teaching in formal and informal settings in primary schools, community centres, charities, and privately within peoples homes for the last ten years. I work with both children and adults.

I am DBS-checked and have been teaching whole-class music through singing in primary schools for the last seven years, mostly working with primary school children. I also love working with teenagers, and recently taught one-to-one singing and piano lessons at a secondary school in Hackney. I have the most experience working with kids and teenagers but I love to work with everyone - adults included!

I've been teaching private singing and piano lessons for the last decade to both children and adults.

Tutoring Approach

I teach
Singing [performance coaching, vocal coaching, helping you find your true voice, vocal freedom]
Piano
Music Production
DJing

My teaching approach is to tune into the person I'm teaching and adapt my style to their needs. I'm a naturally warm, caring, patient and kind person. I create an environment where my student will feel comfortable to ask questions, explore, and make mistakes. With both piano and singing, I have a breadth of experience in jazz, pop, musical theatre and classical music, so am able to tap into all of these different genres.

As much as I can, I will ask my student what they want and tailor the lesson to suit them. I like to keep my lessons varied, with a mixture of exercises, learning music, and improvisation. Improvisation is important because a lot about being musician tapping into play, flowstate, and freedom. This is just as important as learning how to read music and sing/play other peoples songs.

All lessons come with detailed practise plans and homework to help my students grow and learn in their own time, between lessons.

I used to be an incredibly shy and unconfident singer, but through years of singing lessons and practise, I’ve been able to find my voice. I want to help others find their voices too! Lessons are usually one hour long.

I'm fascinated with the voice, how it works, and how important the mind-body connection is when it comes to singing. Although I know my way around music theory well, I wouldn't class myself as a classical singer or musician. I'm very into electronic dance music and jazz. I like to think of music as a tool to heal, play and experiment, not just something to be 'really good' at. I work with people to help them find 'their sound'.. which I know I can do because I've worked very hard to find my sound :)

I'm a firm believer that most of the learning takes place outside or around lessons. So I make sure to give my students clear practise plans for their learning and growing to continue in their own time. I approach teaching as a collaboration between myself and the student rather than an 'I am the boss' mentality. I want it to be your space just as much as mine.