Introduction: Michael Carlson sings solo live on stage in several parts in real time, by overdubbing using digital looping. He also directs jazz vocal groups and plays keys in bands.
He has over 30 years of performance experience, and provides live music, studio vocals, voice lessons, and vocal coaching to students of all ages. Currently, he is also producing a CD for a SF Bay Area client.
Michael studied music theory, composition, popular music and voice, both as an undergraduate student at Chapman University and as a graduate student at University of California, Santa Barbara. He arranges vocals for studio recording and performance. Michael's debut singer-songwriter CD "Fruit of the Vine" was released in December of 2002.
Michael teaches students of all ages, providing basic vocal techniques to apply to styles as diverse as blues, country, rock, musical theatre, church hymnody, black gospel, and punk. Michael formerly coordinated and led the singing in the Jazz Vesper's service at a church in Modesto, CA
Michael is also an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He graduated from Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, in 1998.
He served for four years as pastor of University Park Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis. As minister of music, he directed the choir and praise band at Rancho Cordova United Methodist Church near Sacramento, CA, until the end of 2008. Currently, he serves as director of music at First Christian Church in Salem, OR.
He writes music for worship in many styles with an ecumenical, welcoming and mission-oriented theology. His music is often heard in worship in congregations across the country. Three of his pieces are included in the songbook, Chalice Praise, published by Chalice Press.
He has led workshops and conferences on contemporary worship, has served as song leader for countless events, and has consulted with many congregations regarding the development of their worship life.
As a singer-songwriter, Michael's most recent project, "Songs From the Badlands," is currently in development.
