“I always suffered from shyness, low self-esteem and low self-worth. I think it blocked me from fully realizing my potential earlier in life.  But maybe that is just how it was supposed to be.   I used to try and sing to some of my favorite artists’ records when I was young and because I could not sing as high as them, I thought I wasn’t a good singer.  I was always so shy and felt like people were judging or would not like me.  It was a lonely place to be. "    In high school Michelle joined drama.  She was a mostly a closet singer but did some background acting/singing in the school musicals.  In her senior year in high school, somehow got the guts to try out for the lead in the end year musical and landed the role as Daisy Mae in Lil Abner.  It was a great role for her, and she did great, however, she ended up not pursuing music or acting in college. 

"Looking back, I was good, but at the time I didn't think I was good enough and would never be.  " It was all in how she viewed herself.    Michelle put music to the side after high school and studied Biology, which was another interest.  She worked in a lab, then went into genetics where she found she had a knack for teaching.  So, she then went into the corporate training arena where she stayed for years. 
Eventually she got the nerve to dabble in Karaoke.  Then she joined a church, sang in the choir, took singing lessons, learned the Ukulele, took up piano/keyboard again and finally guitar.   A few years ago, she graduated to Open Mics, the church’s worship band and then, despite her fears, eventually to her own gigs.  “I was always so scared when I first started off.  I didn’t think I was good enough, so why would anyone else?  I was also deathly afraid of forgetting the words!” 

In 2009 Michelle joined Taxi Music and learned about the world of pitching songs to Film & TV. A whole new world opened up for her.  She also realized that she needed to deal with her self-esteem issues.  “It was really shutting me down”.   And deal with it she did!  Michelle feels like nothing can stop her now.   She has gone on to release 6 albums and many singles, two of which were released by Black Toast Records!  Her high-profile TV placements continue to rack up, on shows such as Netflix- Locke & Key, Ginny & Georgia, Amazon Prime's Good Girls Revolt, Young & the Restless, Young Sheldon First Look Trailer, The Voice, The CW's Reign & The Originals, USA’s Benched & No Tomorrow, The Fosters, Inside the PGA, Longmire, a song in a John Travolta Film and she landed the Theme song to MAVTv’s Gear Heads!  ​

"I wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge that you’re doing excellent work. Because I know how high the proverbial “bar” is, I’m a tough critic and responded to less than twenty percent of the CDs I received.  It took me more than sixteen years to break through—so I know how important persistence is. I hope you’ll hang in there and find the success you deserve. Best of luck,"-Jason Blume

Continued...  Michelle likes to give back, and using her training knowledge, her music experience as well as her personal experiences, she held a 9-week workshop for Women at her church.  The workshop was very well received, and she found out, changed lives.    Her other significant goal was putting together a workshop on understanding Music Licensing.  In 2016, she held the first workshop and since then it has morphed into Licensing Songs Academy. The Academy educated over 200 students!  The Academy has also launched her podcast called Sync Licensing Minute, which brings an honest look & sync licensing for free!  Many of Michelle's students are now her friends and colleagues!!   “I feel like my passion has met my purpose and I really feel great about it!   I also believe that we all can achieve our dreams and find our purpose.  But we have to deal with our demons first.”    
    Michelle continues to pitch music for Film & TV.  Recently she has released a self-written and produced album and was finally able to hold her Courageous Me concert in October 2021, after a few cancellations because of Covid. A free replay can be seen on her YouTube site.  
  She performs at venues such as Bethesda Blues and Jazz Club, Signature Theatre, and in Concert series such as Focus Music and Stone Room Concerts, Festivals at Main Street Music Fest, festivals, private events and local area businesses. 
   Michelle’s Indie/Alternative Folk sound is influenced by Cannons, War Paint, BoyGenius,  Ingrid Michaelson, Sheryl Crow, Tristan Prettyman, Meiko, Birdy, The Head & The Heart, Hope Sandoval, London Grammar, The XX, Daughter, The Civil Wars, Colbie Caillat, and Oh Honey. Her songs can be heard on Internet Radio such as iHeart Radio, NWCZ radio, Women of Substance Radio, Butterflies Radio, Radio Airplay, and streamed on Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and her music can be purchased on iTunes and all other music platforms.