...is an accomplished performer, teacher, accompanist, session/studio musician, songwriter, composer and arranger. She performs and records as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist with her flute, piccolo, alto and bass flutes, pennywhistles, fifes and piano. Her beautiful voice and vivacious flute playing have delighted audiences all around Canada and the US. Michelle performs with a number of music groups around town including Blackthorn, Caviar & Lace, Halifax Wharf Rats, Triskellion and her own group of flute players called Fluterrific. Michelle is also a teacher, offering instruction in flute, whistle, piano and music theory in North Delta, BC.
Something Michelle can definitely say about music, is that she has been involved since a very young age indeed! Her family has a huge love of music in its many different styles and genres - exposing her to virtually every style there is.. from opera, bluegrass and old time country, to classical, funk, latin, fado, celtic and everything in between. This has influenced Michelle considerably to encourage her students to be very well-rounded. Michelle began playing piano at the age of 5, and started the flute at 8. When Michelle was 7 years old, she competed in her first music competition in Kipling, Saskatchewan.
Michelle teaches a number of students in flute, whistle, piano and theory. As well Michelle has taught masterclasses and group classes, also called clinics or sectionals, at various schools and other venues. Lessons are fun for both teacher and student. Michelle's students are of all ages. When Michelle's son was in Beavers (Scouts), she was a Leader known as "Songbird" and brought the group fun and silly songs that were requested again and again. See "Lessons" for more information.
Some years ago Michelle created a flute ensemble called Fluterrific, which enables flute players to get together to rehearse and perform a variety of fun musical genres including contemporary, broadway, jazz, latin and celtic music as well as classical and baroque - and even several of Michelle's own compositions and arrangements.
Composing, songwriting and arranging is another category of Michelle's musical endeavours and passions. Often she creates pieces just for her students, specifically for their personal development. Michelle's pieces have been recorded and performed live, especially those she wrote for Blackthorn - her recording, performing, and touring band. (See "Blackthorn" for more information). Currently Michelle's song "Open Skies" is available as a single from iTunes as well as the Blackthorn website (www.blackthornband.com) as well as another Michelle Carlisle original - "Song for Dianne", an instrumental featuring her flute in a duet with the violin. Check out Michelle at MusicwithMichelle.Bandcamp.com for her latest releases!
Michelle also collaborates, writing both music and lyrics. One of her partners and she have created a 14 song collection for a special project. Other collaborations include other songwriters, and even some that have lyrics in hand and need someone to put them to music!
Besides competing, Michelle has performed with many different groups with a wide variety of genres including classical, baroque, latin, jazz, classic rock and celtic, to name a few.
Michelle has been a member of the Celtic group Blackthorn since 1994. In that time, she has recorded four albums with them which include a number of her own compositions, and feature her playing her many different instruments as well as providing lead and background vocals. Blackthorn has been performing and touring in venues all around BC as well as Alberta, Washington, Saskatchewan and other parts of the U.S. since 1989.
For the past twenty years, Michelle has also been a member of the local East-Coast/Classic Rock group Halifax Wharf Rats, performing at numerous venues from pubs to parties to weddings. In this band, Michelle also plays the piano/keyboards.
In addition, Michelle performs with the Caviar & Lace, Triskellion, and Fluterrific. See "Performance" for information on each group. Michelle also freelances and performs with other groups and artists around town.
