Reflections – Michelle
Michelle
"Being in a good mood and enjoying singing is the most important thing, because you can hear it in every note."
Michelle (Vocal Coach and Singing Instructor) • A SingStar microphone, a Christina Aguilera song on playback, and plenty of time after school before her mom gets home. There she stands, feeling every syllable and giving it her all with a loud, energetic performance.
"I really did that every day, for years on end. No one told me to stop or that I was too loud, so I kept singing."
Even in her early childhood, songs by Christina Aguilera, Adele, and Miley Cyrus fascinated and influenced her in equal measure. Later, she listened to more soul and jazz; Amy Winehouse was one of her greatest inspirations during that time.
She began taking classical piano lessons at age seven. By the time she was 13, that was no longer enough for her, so she started taking occasional singing lessons in Moscow. Her singing teacher wanted to nurture her talent and helped Michelle launch her YouTube channel with cover songs.
Michelle transfers from a regular high school to one with a music program. There, she frequently sings the solo part in the choir and performs with the school’s big band. After graduating from high school, she attends the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg Music School to prepare for college, focusing on jazz and pop.
Her studies took her to Hanover, where she majored in jazz vocals at the University of Music, Drama, and Media. However, as she points out, outside of her studies she does "a lot of pop-oriented stuff," including jazz-pop fusion, soul, and funk. Michelle impressively demonstrates how a singer can earn money even while still in school by performing at weddings and large celebrations. She sings an extensive repertoire of cover songs.
But Michelle also pursues her own creative interests, writing and composing songs. Jazz and pop are once again the main themes here, but her music defies clear categorization.
"It helps me when I sit at the piano late at night and can let it all out. That's when the right words come to mind. This is where I can process strong emotions. And there's more to come soon."
More from Michelle Schwarzkopf: The single "Reflection" is available on major streaming platforms, and her first EP will be released in 2024.
At first, she's still a bit reserved, even though she's very eager to share her singing experience with others.
"I actually had trouble finding the right teachers; some just couldn't help me understand what it was really all about or how to make progress. It wasn't until I was in Berlin that I met a vocal coach who, with just a few exercises over the course of a few days, showed me how to find my mix voice. That’s when I realized I wanted to share those "aha’ moments with others, too, and keep my students’ frustration levels as low as possible while they’re learning to sing.”
She made the decision and put it into action. She began teaching in 2019. Michelle has been part of the vocal coaching team at CK Voice Academy since 2022.
First and foremost, Michelle listens to you. You’ll get to know each other right from the start during vocal coaching. She quickly creates a comfortable environment where you can feel at ease and just let your voice flow. She helps you get to know your voice and supports you in discovering and defining your singing goals.
"Especially at the beginning, when my students are still unsure of themselves, I help them build more self-confidence and become familiar with their instrument—their voice."
Michelle will also work with you on your vocal volume, helping you discover the full range of sounds your voice is capable of producing. In addition to healthy singing techniques, she emphasizes versatility and helping you discover your own style in a playful way. With her support, you’ll learn to push the boundaries of your voice and simply make better use of your potential.
"I love it when my students realize that it's possible without straining—when they see, for example, that they can easily hit higher notes."
Does that sound amazing? It really is—you just have to experience it for yourself! If you’d like to find out what singing feels like when you say goodbye to unnecessary pressure and strain, If you’d like to work on developing your voice with a sensitive and attentive vocal coach, book a free trial lesson with Michelle now. She’s looking forward to meeting you!
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