I have three designs opening in the next few weeks as part of the Philly Fringe/Live Arts Festival.  First up is the premiere of Return Return Departure, a dance piece by Nichole Canuso Dance Company (NCDC).  Taking place in the American Philosophical Society gallery and garden, the dance and the score play with ideas of time and how we measure it inspired by an exhibit, Tempis Fugit, by Antonia Contro currently on display.  It runs the first and third week of the festival, as well as scattered dates through October and November.

Next up is Le Grand Continental by Sylvain Emard Dance from Montreal.  I created the design for one section of the piece using samples from the Gamble and Huff/Sound of Philadelphia catalogue. The show is on the Art Museum steps, and is performed by 300+ professional and amateur dancers.  Sylvain has done this piece in Montreal, Mexico City and New York.

And finally, I wrote a bunch of science-y/guru electronica sounding stuff for Mining the Mine of the Mind for Minerals, a new work by Megan Mazarick and Mason Rosenthal.  Also collaborating is visual artist Ryan Kelly on this part TED talk, part dance theatre experiment.

Somewhere in there, I am also remounting one of my favorite pieces ever, NCDC’s TAKES in Cleveland for the Ingenuity Festival.

Philly Live Arts/Fringe Festival Website.

This Summer, I will be holding another four lesson long vocal intensive.  This is the perfect excuse to commit to taking those voice lessons you’ve been telling yourself to take, but never have, and save a little money in the process.  Last Summer was my first time holding these intensives. I had eight students register, all with a wide range of goals and experience.  The results were so amazing, and the process was so rewarding, I can’t wait to have a new crop of students and do it all over again.

The intensive will consist of private, hour-long lessons.  By registering for the entire intensive, you will receive four lessons for only $190!  Schedule a weekly time on the following Fridays or Saturdays from 10AM-4PM.

July 6 and 7

July 13 and 14

August 3 and 4

August 10 and 11

We can do once a week for four weeks, or twice a week for two.  Also, if these times don’t work for you, let me know, and we can work something else out.

My teaching theory revolves around how the act of singing feels, rather than focusing explicitly on how you sound.  My approach is appropriate for the most professional, or the most casual singer.  By the end of this intensive, you will have a deeper understanding of vocal health and longevity, breathing, the functionality of the voice, and how to use it as a unique, expressive instrument.  This intensive will guide you through a series of explorations that will free your voice in new and exciting ways.

I have been teaching voice professionally for the past seven years.  I specialize in working with indie-rock musicians on their own material, however, I am happy to explore singing with all types of vocalists.   I have worked with age ranges from teenagers to adults, and anyone over the age of 12 is encouraged to register.

Past clients include members of: Twin Sister, Bleeding Rainbow, East Hundred, Oh! Pears, Buried Beds, Hoots and Hellmouth, Busses, and Bitter, Bitter Weeks, among others.  I am also the resident vocal instructor at Miner Street Studios, one of the premiere recording studios in Philadelphia, and home of Weathervane Music.  I also taught at The Lawrenceville School for four years, and currently teach at The Hill School.

Please send an email to mikekiley@hotmail.com or call 215 668 0873 to set up a lesson time.  I am also happy to answer any questions you may have about the intensive prior to registering.

The registration deadline is June 20th. Check out the testimonials below:

“Sarah and I both play music in a nationally touring band. We were gearing up for our next big tour when we realized we really should look into taking voice lessons.  We wanted to learn to sing correctly so that we could sing in tune better as well as not lose our voices after singing every night for a month straight.  Mike Kiley was recommended to us by an owner of a local recording studio.  Neither of us had ever taken voice lessons before, but Mike Kiley made us feel very comfortable right away. He quickly was able to notice several ways in which our singing could be improved. He helped us learn how to warm up our voices correctly and also ways to help stay in pitch.  His teaching was invaluable as far as we are concerned.  We lasted 6 weeks on the road and never had any voice issues!”

-Rob + Sarah, Bleeding Rainbow

“I have always liked singing, but I never would have said that singing felt good — actually felt good, in my body– until I took some lessons with Michael Kiley. His idea that sound is affected by tension changed everything, and I feel like I’m closer and closer to releasing while singing. I breathe better, my voice sounds more resonant,there’s more volume to work with, and — most importantly– I still sound like myself.”

-Beth Filla, singer for Trollyvox, yoga instructor

Info HERE.

“Sarah and I both play music in a nationally touring band. We were gearing up for our next big tour when we realized we really should look into taking voice lessons.  We wanted to learn to sing correctly so that we could sing in tune better as well as not lose our voices after singing every night for a month straight.  Mike Kiley was recommended to us by an owner of a local recording studio.  Neither of us had ever taken voice lessons before, but Mike Kiley made us feel very comfortable right away. He quickly was able to notice several ways in which our singing could be improved. He helped us learn how to warm up our voices correctly and also ways to help stay in pitch.  His teaching was invaluable as far as we are concerned.  We lasted 6 weeks on the road and never had any voice issues!”

-Rob + Sarah, Reading Rainbow

“I have always liked singing, but I never would have said that singing felt good — actually felt good, in my body– until I took some lessons with Michael Kiley. His idea that sound is affected by tension changed everything, and I feel like I’m closer and closer to releasing while singing. I breathe better, my voice sounds more resonant,there’s more volume to work with, and — most importantly– I still sound like myself.”

-Beth Filla, singer for Trollyvox/Yoga Instructor

Petites Planetes