I’m Michelle Kalisz, a pianist and teacher in NYC. I’ve performed at Steinway Hall, the Guggenheim Museum, the Kaufman Music Center, and Third Street Music School Settlement. I am a former piano faculty member of Third Street, where I taught group and private Suzuki piano class.
As a vocal accompanist, I’ve worked at Trinity School in the Upper West Side and the Undergraduate Program of the Hunter College Music Department.
I participated and performed in the InterHarmony International Music Festival in Acqui Terme, Italy as well as the International Keyboard Institute & Festival in NYC. Piano masterclasses I’ve performed in were given by Gustavo Romero, Nicholas Phillips and Washington Garcia.
I was selected for a merit-based scholarship by the Hunter Music Department after my first year as a Master of Arts piano performance student and graduated with highest honors (3.94GPA). My principal teachers include Dr. Geoffrey Burleson, Dr. Brandt Fredriksen, Laurine Celeste-Fox, and Vicki Dueck. I also have. B.S. in Psychology, with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh.
Much like Leonard Bernstein’s inclination for interdisciplinary studies in music learning and creating, I have two disciplines outside of music that influence my teaching and playing: Psychology and Kinesiology. Mindset is so crucial for success as a musician. I am heavily influenced by Anders Ericsson, Jean Piaget, Albert Ellis, and Abraham Maslow.
I a certified yoga instructor and dedicated practitioner, drawing many parallels between kinesiology and the physical act of playing an instrument. This allows one to work with the body in an ergonomic and efficient way, release tension, and increase fluidity and longevity. I draw a lot of work from George Goodheart, the founding father of Applied Kinesiology (AK), into my practice and teaching. I formally studied Dalcroze Eurythmics, a methodology originating from Switzerland that incorporates movement as way to viscerally teach rhythm, structure, and musical expression, a great bridge to unite movement with music in music education.
She is an active member of Society for Music Theory (SMT) and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
I am based in Manhattan and Southold, NY with my husband Deniz and two sons Kaya and Jinsu.