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 tour schedule |
| Sat 9/13/2008 |
Montpelier, VT |
| Sat 10/04/2008 |
Blue Mountain Lake, NY |
| Sun 10/05/2008 |
Richmond, VT |
| Sat 10/11/2008 |
South Yarmouth, MA |
| Sat 10/18/2008 |
Groton, VT |
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| Artist: |
(Contact info @ bottom of this page)
For piano soloist and composer Cody Michaels, “the piano is a way to connect with the mystery of creation and every song is a prayer”.
Also a storyteller and poet, Cody was born in Methuen, Massachusetts on October 10th, 1960. He was raised in southeastern New Hampshire, where his jazz pianist father introduced him to the piano at the age of three. He studied classical, but his diverse influences and intuitive approach foster a style that defies genre. His unique, passionate musical expressions are compared to the likes of Beethoven, George Winston, and Keith Jarrett. Many also note the remarkable degree to which his highly textured sound evokes spirituality and the wonders of nature.
Formerly a park ranger, Appalachian Trail caretaker, and farm hand who “played piano on the side”, it was during a long walk on the Appalachian Trail in 1997 that Cody vowed to devote the remainder of his life to music. Over the next several years, steady practice and numerous appearances for restaurants, resorts, and clubs in northern New England, western North Carolina, Colorado, and Leipzig, Germany, enabled him to refine his technique, develop his creative voice, and expand his repertoire (which, in addition to interpretations, has grown to include more than sixty original works for solo piano).
Upon settling in New Hampshire’s White Mountains in 2001, Cody launched a career as a concert artist and released his debut CD of original piano solos,
“A Creation Prayer”, to high praise. Two more critically acclaimed CD’s of original compositions have followed: “Primum Non Nocere (2004) and “Autumn Suite”
(2007). Hailed as being “ingeniously inspired”, “truly entrancing”, “transcendent”, and “powerful, challenging, and highly expressive”, his intimate performances are as much contemplative, emotional experiences as they are brilliant and informative.
In the late fall of 2005, Cody relocated to Vermont’s "Northeast Kingdom". Besides music, he enjoys walking, reading, backcountry skiing, sunsets, chores, kindred spirits, mini-golf, and “the many other things that make life special”. Demand for his concerts, which feature his compositions and spoken word introductions, is steadily increasing in the Northeast and beyond.
Considered “one of the finest in his class” by "EnjoyTheMusic.com", he is emerging as a premier exponent of solo-acoustic instrumental music.
What People Are Saying About Cody Michaels:
"Cody, I have had people stop me over the past several days to say how much they enjoyed the concert and your warmth and personality. It was a wonderful experience, and I look forward to a return engagement."
(Tom Weiderman, Executive Director; The Clemens Center; Elmira, NY)
"Michaels work is ingeniously inspired, intracately composed, and phenomenally retained. As for words to describe his music, here are a few:
beautiful, melodic, textured, evocative, transcendent."
(Jay Sprout, "First Night" St. Johnsbury, VT)
"Cody Michaels' compositions and musical skill were wonderful, and he was a delight to work with. Cody spoke eloquently to his listeners, painting pictures that were illustrated by his songs... he is a fine musician."
(Mary Laury, Executive Director; "Schoodic Arts For All"; Winter Harbor, ME)
"Michaels has proven himself one of the finest in his class...
a must for all solo piano lovers"
(Steven Rochlin, EnjoyTheMusic.com)
"Michaels' playing is powerful, challenging, and highly expressive.He courageously takes the listener to the who-knows-where of his passions."
(Jane Wilcox Hively, Editor, Mountain Streams Gazette)
"Michaels' music is truly entrancing... the finesse emanating from his piano is as natural as breath. All is expressed with a melodic precision capable only of those who genuinely believe in every note they play."
(James S. Pike, Face Magazine)
"Music flows from Cody Michaels as naturally and soothingly as water
from a mountain stream"
(Rick Broussard, Editor, New Hampshire Magazine
-"Very Best of New Hampshire", Editor's Pick 2002)
"Most of all, it is Michaels' elegant touch and deep commitment to melodic communication that hold the listener rapt."
(Kevin McNeil Brown, Buch Speiler Music; Montpelier, VT)
"Hello. I just read your review of Cody Michaels' CD 'A Creation Prayer' and I want you to know that his musicianship is even more rich and enjoyable in person"
(Emily, EnjoyTheMusic.com 'Letters To Us')
"Michaels gave a wonderful performance... I highly recommend him"
(Michelle Pennington; Associate Director of Public Programs
The Currier Museum of Art; Manchester, NH)
"Do yourself a favor: discover Cody Michaels... he captures the essence of spirit and beauty of nature as few before"
(Lucky Clark, The Cool News)
Cody is available for concerts (including house concerts), school presentations, "meet the artist" events, conferences, retreats, etc.
Cody is registered with New Enlgand Foundation For The Arts (NEFA) and the Vermont Arts Council.
Cody's presentations for New England non-profits (outside Vermont) qualify for funding from NEFA (www.matchbook.org)
Cody's performances feature his original compositions (primarily neo-classical and contemporary - some programs include a jazz/blues/rag piece or two).
Some of Cody's programs also include an interpretation or two
(E.g. "Over The Rainbow", "Carol of The Bells", etc.)
Past Performances Include:
Currier Museum of Art (Manchester, NH)
Lake Placid Center For the Arts (NY)
"Music For A Sunday Afternoon" (Newport, VT)
"First Night" Montpelier (VT)
The Clemens Center (Elmira, NY)
Hammond Hall (Winter Harbor, ME)
Memorial United Methodist Church of White Plains (NY)
Bundy Center For The Arts (Waitsfield, VT)
"First Night" St. Johnsbury (VT)
Escalante Canyons Art Festival (UT)
Winnekenni Castle (Haverhill, MA)
Town Hall Theater (Woodstock, VT)
Hunt Memorial (Nashua, NH)
Squaw Valley Chapel (Olympic Valley, CA)
St. Kierans Center For The Arts; (Berlin, NH)
Alexander Twilight Theater (Lyndon State College, VT)
Unity Center For The Arts (Unity, ME)
Lopez Island Community Center (WA)
Radio airplay includes both contemporary instrumental and classical/jazz programs (New Age Reporter Top 100, BMI Royalties).
Televised appearances include WCVB-TV Boston's "Chronicle"
(New England's #1 cultural program)
Press kit w/ references, programs offered, preferred fees, etc., available for Presenters upon request
For All Contacts:
Cody Michaels
PO Box 335 / Montpelier, VT 05601
codypiano@yahoo.com / 888-654-8670
"The rush and pressure of modern life are a form of violence"
(Thomas Merton)
"Music induces a kind of pleasure that human nature cannot do without"
(Confucius) |
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