Students
who have worked privately with Michael
(click names for complete quote in a PDF file)

Eric Rodriguez (keyboardist, composer)
"I am now super excited about my musical journey!
You have helped me more than you probably know...
My composing is not only what I enjoy,
but what I need in my life.  
I also realize that I've been stuck
for quite a while with a fractured approach
that has become a series of mannerisms.
Thanks for pushing me along— you are awesome!"

Mark Baum (vocalist/composer)
"It's hard to know where to begin
when trying to describe Michael's musicianship —
he does so many things, and does them all so well.
In every area of his music, he has golden ears
and precise attention to detail. I'm studying
vocal improvisation with him and loving it!
I admire his confidence as a teacher
in combination with personal humility
and willingness to listen. I see him as
setting a course for me as his student
with clear vision of where I could go,
but attentiveness and flexibility
as I give feedback about how the journey is going,
and what's working for me and what's not.
This guy is the real deal: an artist,
a master craftsman, and a spiritually disciplined,
thoughful listener —
someone well worth getting to know."

Isaac Ho (pianist)
"I have studied classical music for 15 years and jazz for 4,
and Michael is one of the most observant teachers
I have worked with. His experience in
dealing with countless students of various levels
really comes to the fore, as he can quickly diagnose problems
that would have taken me weeks to figure out with
another teacher. It is rare to find a high-level jazz performer
who devotes significant effort to the separate arts of
both teaching and playing. All in all,
he's an excellent teacher in a field (jazz piano)
where great teachers are hard to come by!"

Sonya Brewer (vocalist/songwriter)
"Sad but true. After eight years of voice lessons
I felt less confidence than when I started.
But my work with Michael was transformative!  
I remembered one particular piece of coaching he gave,
it completely changed the quality of sound in my voice.  
I had never heard myself sound so good!"

David Babich
(clarinetist/vocalist/composer/arranger)
"Smolens is highly knowledgeable not only of jazz,
but classical music, and the music of many cultures,
both instrumentally and vocally.
This, combined with his gifts of organization, focus,
and patience, make him an exceptional
teacher and educator...."

Rae Anderson (vocalist/pianist)
"Today I am singing with a jazz a capella group where
I continue to apply what I have learned from Michael.
He provided me with tools and techniques that I can
always use, especially when I need to break down chords
and difficult rhythms, or face an array of
other musical challenges. Michael Smolens IS music.
I can't recommend him enough!..."

Daniel Tucker
(pianist/vocalist/composer/arranger)
"Michael's ability to play drums and vocalize
a bass part greatly enhances my piano lessons.
After being taught a new chord progression,
way of improvising, or comping pattern,
I can instantly try it out as part of a 'trio'.
And somehow while juggling the drums at his hands
and the bass in his mouth, Michael still has
ears open to hear and respond to what I'm playing.
It adds up to much quicker assimilation of new concepts
and technique for me, and is fun for both of us!"

Alvaro Sanabria (public speaker/trainer)
"I was having trouble with voice and feeling unusually weary
at the end of a full day of giving workshops,
so I decided to look for help.
After a thorough evaluation, Michael perceived
a number of issues that affected my voice and speech,
and gave me some effective recommendations
having to do with posture, breathing, and
muscle relaxation. These all made a significant improvement
noticeable during my following workshops..."

Dave Florey (pianist)
"I always felt like I had learned something new
with each lesson and was capable of learning even more-
he really nurtured the Spirit of the Student in me!..."

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