I believe prayer – especially sung prayer – should be transformative, beautiful, and inclusive.
When we leave a service, we should feel soothed, delighted, or inspired to take action.
I am a singer and prayer leader who works with progressive Jewish communities to make that happen.
Get in touch to see how I can help you!
Service Music
The right music can elevate and bring ruach [spirit] to your service or ceremony. I’ll work closely with your service leader, either choosing from my wide range of repertoire (from our oldest ”mi-Sinai” melodies to music only just released), or finding new melodies that deliver your vision. I believe in making it easy for the community to join in, whether I’m singing a cappella or accompanying myself on guitar or piano.
“Thank you so much for singing at our wedding ceremony. Your singing (particularly of Zeh Dodi) was amazing – really set the tone beautifully for the service – barely a dry eye in the place! It made it completely stress-free for us that you grasped what we wanted so quickly… we’d recommend you without hesitation!”
Dan and Michelle
“Many thanks for your outstanding contribution to this morning’s Czech Scroll service, helping to generate exactly the right ruach for the occasion.”
Robert
Teaching
I love teaching adults how to chant Torah, lead prayer and explore Jewish topics that excite them. I direct the choir at East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue, and I enjoy visiting other communities to lead workshops in choral singing, new repertoire, and building musical community.
“Mich is a wonderful, inspiring and fun singing teacher who has transformed our singing group. She manages to teach and explain complex issues while at the same time making anyone of any ability feel included and heard. We are blessed to have her.”
Rabbi Sandra, Crouch End Chavurah
“So patient, warm and personable, but also so bloody talented it’s actually scary!”
Rehearsal participant
“I’d always wanted to learn how to leyn but that was never a possibility in my community. I feel privileged to have been taught this knowledge by such a kind and wonderful teacher. I now have a new medium to connect to Torah and I’m excited to see where it takes me.”
Leyning course student
Leading Prayer
I am a confident leader of prayer for progressive Jewish communities and I’m especially proud to be Sh’liach Tzibbur for Queer Yeshiva, where I develop prayer and ritual that leans into Queer Jewish joy. I also lead a gentle prayer session ‘Shirei Nechama’ on Zoom once a month. I would be so pleased to create or lead services for you.
“Thank you so much for all you have done… Bringing so many different voices into the space, holding them so that tefillah is varied, unique, impactful, meaningful, and an opportunity for such growth, both for the leader and for the community.”
Service leader, Queer Yeshiva
“Such a grounding, soothing, peaceful and wonderful session.”
Attendee, Shirei Nechama
About Me
I am a synagogue music specialist! If you’re a progressive Jewish community with a music dilemma, I can help!
I am Music Director at East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue (previously of Finchley Reform Synagogue) where I direct the choir and create inclusive, musical services. Before I decided to specialise in Jewish music, I directed Brentwood Choral Society, Diversity Choir, and other groups. I also trained students at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA).
I am a singer, with a wide range of Jewish repertoire. I hold a LRSM (Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music) in Singing, and have a BMus (first class) from Roehampton University. I also play piano and guitar.
I am a passionate Sh’liach Tzibbur (prayer leader) for progressive Jewish communities such as Queer Yeshiva. I teach leyning (chanting from Torah) for which I trained with the European Academy of Jewish Liturgy.
I am a geek! I perform filk-folk music with the inimicable Marilisa Valtazanou as Playing Rapunzel. I love science-fiction and fantasy, role-playing, computer games, and Lego. I live in London with my husband and character-ful kids.
Available for work across the UK, in person and on Zoom
