AlbertaGypsy

SEEKING

Band to Join, Vocalist, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Harmonica, Mandolin, Fiddle, Dobro, Steel guitar.

ABOUT

Michelle was born and raised in southern Alberta, starting keyboards at the age of 7 when her parents enrolled her in organ lessons with Yamaha. Amazed with how quickly she progressed through the early levels, her teachers soon had Michelle playing for organ demonstrations in local shopping malls. She switched to Royal Conservatory and finished grade 8 classical organ in high school, participating in numerous competitions and performances. Michelle was offered a job teaching organ lessons when she was only 15 years old. She switched to piano and completed grade 6, then quit because classical was "cool". Michelle returned to music studies briefly in 1990 when she took one term of performance piano at Red Deer College, after which marriage and parenting forced music into the backseat for a season. In her thirties, Michelle played with a contemporary church worship band for 5 years, also playing for community events. During this period, she started hand drumming at community drum circles. In 2008, Michelle moved to New Orleans for 4 months where she did a bit of studio work and rehearsed weekly with the Patrick Godbey band, an original & cover country rock group (Godbey played guitar for the 80's punk band, Dresden 45). Michelle returned to Canada and started playing both piano and organ at weekly Calgary blues jams. In 2009 Michelle moved to Vancouver Island where she took two terms of African hand drumming at the University of Victoria. She played keyboards and djembe at numerous jam sessions and for a couple of weekend bands. In 2011 Michelle met her partner, Sacha Petulli, at a jam session in Crofton. Since then, Michelle has been involved with numerous music projects with Sacha, including the Community Band. She faciliates a weekly inclusive drum circle for her clients with special needs and the community at large.

Michelle enjoys a variety of genres and influences, but her preferred styles are country, blues and rock. Keyboard influences include Elton John, Eddie Harsch (Black Crowes), Ray Manzarek (Doors), Jon Lord (Deep Purple), Greg Allman, Marcia Ball, and Ludovico Einaudi. She believes she has a pretty good ear and intuitive feel for music, and pours a lot of soul into playing, but would not describe herself as an outstanding technical player at this point. She prefers playing with a group and contributing to the mix rather than being a solo performer, though she can certainly step up to the plate when asked to do so. Michelle also enjoys writing songs, and is working on developing her vocal skills so she can sing backups.

Screen name:: AlbertaGypsy
Member since:: Nov 25 2007; Active over 1 month ago
Level of commitment:: Committed
Years playing music:: 35
Gigs played:: 50 to 100
Tend to practice:: 2-3 times per week
Available to gig:: 2-3 nights a week

Influences

I listen to a lot of music and enjoy a variety of genres and influences. As far as keyboard influences go, I guess I would say Elton John, Eddie Harsch (Black Crowes), Ray Manzarek (Doors), Jon Lord (Deep Purple), Stevie Wonder, Greg Allman, Billy Powell (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Paul McCartney, Robert Lamm (Chicago), Rick Wakeman (Yes), Richard Wright (Pink Floyd), Jonathan Cain (Journey), Garth Hudson (The Band, Ian McLagan (Small Faces), Billy Joel, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ludovico Einaudi, Marsha Ball, and many more.