Michel Durham is the founder and principal voice teacher of Durham Voice Studio. She has been teaching professionally since 2000.
Born in Montreal, Canada, Michel was raised in both the United States and Canada. She trained as an actress, singer, and dancer in Toronto before traveling to Arizona in the U.S. to pursue further studies in voice.
Michel qualified as a voice teacher after training at university in the United States. She is both licensed and degreed in Vocal Music Education through the University of Arizona and continues her studies through various institutions including the Harvard Medical School of Continuing Education to stay on top of changes in vocal research and education.
During her studies at the University of Arizona, Michel studied with noted teachers such as Orff Schulwerk master Nancy Ferguson, vocal pedagogue Dr. Larry Day, and choral conductor Maurice H. Skones.
In 2000, shortly after graduation, Michel relocated to Galway, Ireland, where she founded Durham Voice Studio.
Community Work
Locally, Michel founded and conducted the Galway Gospel Choir for over 15 years. Under her direction the choir toured internationally, won several national awards and performed with artists such as Colm Mac Con Iomaire and the Harlem Gospel Choir.
Michel was the chairperson and vocal tutor of the Access Music Project in Galway. The Access Music Project was a charitable organisation that gave musicians the skills, support, and encouragement they need to survive, thrive, and progress. Before it closed its doors, the Access Music Project was one of the single most influential music programmes in Galway and musicians who attended this project can be found in nearly every working band and musical organisation in Galway to this day.
Presently Michel conducts the NUIG Staff Singers, a workplace choir made up of researchers, academics, administrative staff who are all part of the National University of Ireland, Galway.