About
ABOUT
An international Sonic Alchemist based in New York City and Hawaii. Michelle Pirret’s work has been called “Hypnotizing” and “Transformational” by those having received her unique offerings.
Utilizing her four-octave vocal range with vibratory instruments such as Alchemy crystal singing bowls, gongs, and indigenous hand percussion, she creates a magnetic blend of elemental sound and cosmic harmony that is a uniquely profound auditory journey to be experienced.
With travel to over thirty-five countries, Michelle’s musical influences reflect many cultures and experiences. She has presented internationally in solo concerts and Sound Meditation facilitations in Egypt, the West Indies, Switzerland, Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic. Stateside, she has captivated audiences and participants with her signature SONIC LEAP™ experiences in New York, Hawaii, California, New Mexico and Arizona.
Michelle is a trailblazer in the world of luxury 5-star hotels, introducing modalities and crafting unique spa offerings that did not previously exist. She paved the way for the therapeutic use of sound to become a next-level Spa offering at some of the most iconic hotels worldwide.
In New York City, Michelle is credited with being the first Sound Therapist at Four Seasons New York Downtown. As part of the hotel’s Resident Healers team, known as ‘The Collective’ – this select group showcases the talent of leading women in the Wellness field offering bespoke treatments and unique experiences to aid in personal transformation.
In Hawaii, Michelle was the first Sound Practitioner at SENSEI located on Hawaii’s most exclusive island of Lana’i. Founded by tech mogul Larry Ellison and Dr. David Agus, this wellbeing retreat is a collaboration led by science, backed by evidence-based practices and supported by innovative technology. Her contribution was creating, implementing and facilitating Sound Therapy as an offering in private and group settings.
Michelle also has the distinct honor of being Artist-in-Residence at multiple luxury destinations including the award-winning Halekulani on the beach in Waikiki, Hawaii and The Palms Resort and Spa in Turks and Caicos, British West Indies facilitating SONIC LEAP™ sessions and performing Sound Meditation concerts.
Michelle has presented in association with numerous non-profit organizations including New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care; The Garrison Institute; The Art of Dying Institute at The New York Open Center; Reimagine NYC; and Project Liberation. She shares a fondness in donating her time educating children about Sound Therapy – working with elementary schools and within care homes for abused, neglected and orphaned children in the Caribbean.
In solo concert setting, Michelle cultivates unique arrangements of familiar vocal repertoire from The Great American Songbook while accompanying herself instrumentally on Alchemy crystal singing bowls. As a composer, Michelle’s original music premiered at The Ailey Citigroup Theater in NYC partnered with new work featuring contemporary dance choreography.
INSPIRATION
Michelle’s work as a Sound Practitioner began as a very personal quest for solace and self-healing. While navigating the extreme challenges of her Mother’s decline due to early onset Alzheimer’s disease, her path became clear.
In an effort to communicate with her Mother, who had lost the faculty of recognizable speech, Michelle began incorporating the frequencies of specialized instruments as a basis for non-verbal communication. Together as mother and daughter, they began to create a new language clearly understood by the body’s innate wisdom to interpret applied resonance.
“In developing the SONIC LEAP™ method, my Mom was my greatest student and teacher. Despite the progression of her disease, there were fascinating discoveries made with remarkable consistency in the results. I learned what worked, and which tones were most effective in minimizing her pain.
Using vibration from an ensemble of tuning forks, gongs, hand percussion and my Alchemy singing bowls – I fostered a mode of communication that soothed her fear. Positive changes included an acute awareness of place, an elevated mood and state of relaxation, improved socialization and deeper sleep.
Use of this powerful sonic language continued through her transition until the very end. She passed in my arms with me singing and playing my crystal singing bowls to her. This was her “exit music”. It was a beautiful transition full of peace, color and light.
I understand the pain and courage it takes for both the afflicted and their loved ones to be present and face physical or mental decline head-on. I believe that all can deeply benefit from the power of vibrational immersion through Sonic Alchemy.
CERTIFICATION and TRAINING
- The Integrative Sound and Music Institute, Sound Practitioner Certification with Alexandre Tannous & Faculty. The New York Open Center, NY
- The Globe Institute for Sound and Consciousness, Sound Therapy Certificate Program. Summer Intensive with David Gibson, Randy Masters & Faculty. San Francisco, CA
- Tama Do Academy, Practitioner Training Program. Level 1 Certification, “The Body As A Harp” with Fabien Maman and Terres Unsoeld. Fafleralp, Switzerland
- Integral Yoga Institute of New York, Gong Master Certification with Don Conreaux. New York, NY
- Tone of Life, Gong Mastery Intensive with Tom Soltron and Abby Delsol. Porabka, Poland
- Stanford University, Vocal Program. Summer Jazz Immersion. Stanford, CA
- New York University, Film Scoring and Composition. Private Voice and Jazz Vocal Ensemble. New York, NY
- Your Rhythm, Your Life, Your Groove with Eugene Friesen, Glen Velez and Loire Cotler. New York, NY
- The Art of Dying Institute, Integrative Thanatology Certification Program (Death Education and End-of-Life) with Jeanne Denney and Faculty at The New York Open Center. New York, NY
- Yamuna Body Logic School. Level 1 Certification, “Anatomy and the Mind /Body Connection” with Yamuna Zake. New York, NY
ABOUT MICHELLE PIRRET
Born and raised in New York, Michelle has lived a multi-faceted life as a performing artist. She grew up a child of the theater making her earliest stage debut in a production of “Noah’s Ark” with James Earl Jones. She trained in classical ballet as a student at Balanchine’s School of American Ballet and at The San Francisco Ballet School. After an injury sidelined her career aspirations as a dancer, she worked as an actor in regional and New York theatre, in voiceover animation and television.
Michelle received her Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Her multi-interdisciplinary education focused on Music Performance, Comparative Literature and World Theater. This allowed her the opportunity to study globally in London, Prague, Venezuela, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Japan. Her undergraduate senior colloquium, entitled, “Finding The Light: World Literature, Theatre and Music of the Oppressed”, focused on artistic freedom and creative expression amidst totalitarian suppression in post-war Europe, Asia, and Apartheid-era South Africa. Following graduation, Michelle was awarded a scholarship as an M.F.A. degree candidate at The Actors Studio Program at The New School under the tutelage of Arthur Penn, Ellen Burstyn and Estelle Parsons.
With over a decade having recorded and worked as a musician in Manhattan and abroad, Michelle was featured on CBS Television, National Public Radio, Sirius XM and WBGO Jazz Radio. She was a staple with her jazz ensemble at the renowned Tavern On The Green “Summertime Swing” series; performed with jazz legend Jimmy Heath; and appeared frequently with pianist Harold Mabern at The Jazz Standard, Smoke Jazz and Supper Club, Jazz at Kitano and The Rose Center for Air and Space. Michelle was featured by Hawaiian pop icon Henry Kapono at both The Blue Note and at The Ala Moana Center in Oahu; appeared with KT Sullivan at the Algonquin in NYC and was featured by The Mabel Mercer Foundation at The National Arts Club. Other highlights include The Bistro Awards; and presenting with her quintet at The Jazz Foundation of America.
Internationally, Michelle performed with percussion ensembles in music festivals from Bahia, Brazil to Havana, Cuba. She worked as vocalist and Producer of three albums for the late Tin Pan Alley composer Bernard Bierman – whose songs were recorded by music legends Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan and Billy Eckstine, amongst others.
Michelle is a union member of The Screen Actor’s Guild/American Federation of Television and Radio Artists; Actors Equity; American Federation of Musicians and is registered as both songwriter and publisher with BMI. Her philanthropic work incorporates inclusion in the Development Committee for the Board of the Grammy Award winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Her patronage extends to Classic Stage Company, The Public Theater, and the Entertainment Community Fund.
