Contact: MicheleFDZmusic@gmail.com
MICHELE FERNÁNDEZ
musician, educator, clinician/conductor,
published composer,
conference presenter,
guest speaker
About Michele...
Michele Fernández is an active guest clinician/conductor, adjudicator, instrumental music composer and performer. Her compositions have been premiered at Midwest, CBDNA, IAJE, MEA's and Regional Honor/All-State venues. Her original works for jazz ens and wind band are published through Hal Leonard, Excelcia/Kendor, JW Pepper, Print Music Source / “Jazz Zone” (auth. JR Dunscomb), as well as some self-published.
Michele is a member of Phi Beta Mu (Omega Chapter) and the JEN Education committee. She frequently serves as a guest clinician/conductor for Regional and All-state groups and honors Jazz/Symphonic groups. She has appeared as a Midwest Clinic lecturer on rehearsal techniques (’07 / ’16), JEN '22, various MEA's, school districts and universities across the country. She is a sponsored clinician for Hal Leonard, HAPCO Foundation, and a freelance guest clinician/conductor/guest lecturer for various universities including UNCo, UNT, UM Frost, UF, SHMU and others as well as co-founding “Your Jazz Education Connection” consulting.
Michele recently retired from teaching after 30 years, where her Miami Senior HS ensembles earned top honors /gained international acclaim, having been selected for Midwest Clinic (Chicago ’93 & ’98), IAJE (Boston ’94 & NYC ’97), Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland ’96), FMEA (Tampa ’94 & ’97) and national publications. Michele was the subject of a documentary on “CBS Sunday Morning”, cover story in Band Director’s Guide and featured as an outstanding educator in Downbeat Magazine. Michele has also taught SpEd, HS English and tutored Chemistry . Before focusing on writing/clinics, she served as an active oboist and percussionist in Miami and spent several years as a rhythm section member in a busy local Afro-Latin /Jazz ensemble.
Available to serve your students, teachers, districts:
Musician/Educator
Contact: MicheleFDZmusic@gmail.com
30 Years of Experience as an Instrumental Conductor
Pictured: Miami Senior High School Jazz Band I,
1996 Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland
In-Residence Composer/Conductor Engagements
Michele will travel to your school to rehearse , guest conduct any of her compositions. Pictured: UNT Two O'Clock Lab Band premier of "La Luz En Ti", (2021 Midwest Clinic, Sponsored by Hal Leonard Publ.)
Guest Conductor Services: Symphonic and Jazz Groups
Inspiring and energetic Regional and All-State honor group experiences
In-Service Clinic Sessions on Several Different Topics (districts, conferences, teachers, students, college forums)
PLUS: Access handout to Michele's "ONE-STOP LATIN SHOP" CLINIC
Clinic Testimonials:
“Michele Fernández is an incredible and versatile clinician. I have been fortunate to have her clinic for several years at our Jazz Camp in the FSU Summer Music Camps. Her ability to connect with kids of all ages and abilities is outstanding. She is equally effective in either jazz or concert band settings, with wind instruments, or rhythm sections.
Michele’s caring, fun personality is special and students simply want to perform with her. Few clinicians match her musicianship, personality, and professionalism. I cannot recommend her strongly enough!”
Dr. Steve Kelly, Florida State University
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Tennessee-Mid State High School Jazz Ens: My (director) friends also watched a great deal of Michele’s rehearsals and have been talking about the experience for about an hour now. She is an amazing teacher, an incredible emotional and musical leader. For the final performance, the kids played just as well (if not better in moments) than the more advanced group. They wished all of the students were there to hear the messages she spoke about life. Watching reminded so many of us about why we teach (for ALL our kids)!!
Brianna Englebert Vogt, Band Director (Tennessee Mid-State Clinic)