TESTIMONIALS
"Marisa Michelson is a genius. I come from an opera background later pulled into musical theater and jazz, and this is my first time working with someone who is more interested in authenticity than anything else. She is somehow able to capture the purest form of music that erupts from an experience within our bodies and is never interested in imposing any sort of ideal sound on to the people with whom she collaborates. Her philosophy of music is unique and it is a privilege to be in the same room with her."
Sepideh Moafi
"The depth of Marisa's teaching is unparalleled. She is a masterful guide toward vocal authenticity and artistic freedom. Her philosophies regarding singing have been tremendously liberating and inspiring for me and have profoundly impacted my voice and my life. As a teacher, she is radically present, creative, playful, intuitive and grounded. I always feel completely safe and deeply supported by her presence. She has the uncanny ability to identify and facilitate the release of physical and emotional tensions, freeing the voice and creating more room for artistic expression and joy. If you're interested in pursuing a journey toward your true voice and self, I wholeheartedly recommend working with Marisa."
Molly Ranson
"Giggling, crying, lying in peaceful reverie, flapping my arms like wings, prancing around the room: these are just a few things I've found myself doing in lessons with Marisa. She is a multifaceted, deeply intuitive, holistic, and playful voice teacher. Working with Marisa has helped me discover and embody rather than control and demand things too quickly from my voice, contributing to a much healthier relationship with my singing. Her encouragement of patience, curiosity, and authentic expression has even helped me cultivate a more organic songwriting approach. Thank you, Marisa, for the sometimes challenging, often joyful, always gratifying journey of unifying the voice, body, mind, and spirit."
Joanna Schubert
"Working with Marisa has been a life-transforming experience for me. She embraced my voice wholly from our first lesson, which allowed me to rediscover the full beauty of singing. I use Marisa's teachings daily to connect to the joy of singing. Her gift as a teacher is a rare combination of compassion and rigor; humor and steadiness. These lessons have been such an important gift in my life and have propelled my work as an artist forward; opening me to greater creativity and freedom vocally and beyond. I recommend working with Marisa to any and everyone who wants to truly connect to the joy and power of their own voice."
Jillian Walker
"I'm not a professional singer, I don't sing for my supper but I do sing for my soul. I wanted to recover my voice from the ravages of punk rock belting and middle age. Studying with Marisa has re-defined my voice. I'm singing from a more natural place with more range and without falling into old habits, affectations or gratuitous embellishments."
Owen Plotkin
"Marisa focuses the artist on the process rather than achievement; self-awareness and relaxation instead of external validation and the clutches of self-control. I came to her hoping to learn how to sing, and in addition to that I ended up gaining insight about my own self-worth, power, and the importance of breath."
Ashley Bacon
"Marisa has re-introduced the idea to me that we're all born singing and that it's the closes form of human expression to crying and laughing that we have. Marisa has helped me blossom in my love of music despite the beat-downs of New York auditioning."
Jillian Paige
"To see the human body and the energy that surrounds it through Marisa's eyes would be an extraordinary experience, and yet, that is her gift to you. Somehow, without pretense, she has access to a person's being that has either been suppressed or often just beyond their own reach. Even though I sought a "Vocal Teacher" when I found her, that title doesn't do justice for the awareness and awakeness she levies upon her students. When it comes right down to it, Marisa is a healer. Using her unique skill set and deep intuition she listens for what is blocked and what yearns for release. Her approach is wonderfully sensitive, tactile and gentle, yet the work is not for the faint of heart. But if you are truly ready for a dive inside your body, spirit and voice taking you in your past, present and future selves, Marisa is a highly worth guide to lead you into that realm."
Reb Ezra Weinberg
"Voice work with Marisa is transformational. I recommend Marisa Michelson for anyone interested in reclaiming their voice and their body as a vessel of beauty, breath, and spirit. Muscles locked in fear for decades open to Marisa's ridiculously effective exercises. My singing has improved in leaps and bounds and the process is liberating. Marisa is a gifted midwife of the human spirit."
Shoshana Jedwab
"When I arrived in NYC three decades ago from humid Japan, I lost my voice completely from stress and old bad habits. I studied with many vocal teachers and my voice somehow recovered, but not the way I wanted to. I met Marisa during the world premiere 'Tamar of the River' in 2013, and since then she has completely reconstructed my voice, leading me to a kind of discovery of my "real voice" as opposed to always looking for a fabricated sound."
Ako Dachs
"With Marisa by my side, I have watched and listened to my voice unfold over the years. Together we have revealed it's subtleties, challenging what I had previously assumed about placement, and voice type. I feel my voice has been liberated! And I have never felt more confident."
Margo Seibert
"Marisa showed me a level of depth and self-expression with singing that I didn't even know was possible. To say my voice has improved is a huge understatement. I don't just sing better. I sing from a place of joy and freedom. I'm so grateful for everything she continues to teach me."
Lane Kwederis
"Studying with Marisa has taught me not just a vocal technique but a holistic practice of releasing tension, cultivating vulnerability, and seeking a truth that has shifted and intensely deepened my approach to art-making all together."
Sarah Beth Pfeifer
"Marisa is made of magic. She has helped me release my attachment to how my voice "should" sound and helped me build a nuanced relationship with my body in order to create sound from an authentic and liberated place... She has given me the tools to be a true singer. Prepare to go on a wild vocal journey with Marisa - it is a healing, holistic, sometimes frustrating, ultimately triumphant ride."
Jenny Piersol
"I am so thankful for Marisa. Her teaching approach is unlike any other I've experienced - open, honest, intuitive, brave. In ten lessons, I was able to make huge strides in releasing the tension in my neck, jaw, and shoulders. I didn't even realize how much tension I held and how much it was affecting my singing until I started working with Marisa! After only 10 lessons, I feel much more free, open, and confident in my singing. She gave me a space to feel both uninhibited and supported, and she also gave me the tools to continue working on my own at home, where I can feel myself continuing to make progress."
Mackenzie Shivers
"In a single lesson with Marisa, it was special to focus on body connection without judgement about the sound coming out. To allow sound and breath to work in the most ergonomic and relaxed way for my body first, and THEN marry it to pitch control helped me understand the value of tension in the body and how it can prohibit healthy singing."
Meetu Chilana
I work with people who want to liberate themselves for the sake of all and know singing is a Way.
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Whether you are professional or avocational singer on or off-Broadway craving more freedom, artistry, and mastery, a business leader or coach who wants to speak without getting hoarse or uncomfortable, an actor who feels disembodied when it comes to your voice, or any human who want to grow personally or professionally, I will support you via a trauma-informed process that is individualized, joyful and radically present.
Stay in touch and get updates on upcoming programs and workshops