I grew up immersed in the fabulous music scene of metropolitan Portland OR. I played piano, sang and danced. I started composing when I was about 10 years old. Just for fun, I sat at the piano with my mom and jammed on church songs; she would play the chord parts and I would improvise. I grew up listening to all sorts of music but my favorites were Earth Wind & Fire, The Jackson 5, The Manhattan Transfer & Miles Davis. I began learning the standard jazz repertoire when I was about 18 and starting singing in clubs a few years later.
After high school I attended the Phil Mattson School of Music, Clackamas Community College and graduated from the University of Oregon. I spent a lot of time soaking up the unbelievable jazz scene in Portland and had terrific mentors along the way who gave me opportunities to stretch out and gain invaluable experience.
I spent a few years directing the vocal jazz ensembles at the University of Oregon and won the Oregon Jazz Society’s scholarship for Outstanding New Jazz Vocalist. I have had the good fortune of working with some of the Northwest’s finest musicians including the late bassist Leroy Vinegar; pianist, Andre Kitaev; and composer/guitarist, Mason Williams (Classical Gas).
A few years ago I recorded my first CD, Watercolor Music, which is a showcase of instrumental tunes featuring Steve Prazak on flute & Jeff Leonard on bass. I play piano and weave vocalese* lines throughout the trio’s song tapestry.
Currently I’m working on a new CD. It has a groovy feel that lives under the jazz umbrella with a cool mix of light rock, jazz harmonies and Latin-esque motifs.
I am part of a unique ensemble called the Cascade Brass - which is a brass quintet with vocals. We do a yearly Christmas concert and this summer added a new tribute show to New Orleans and Dixland.
I keep on singin’ and swingin’ jazz standards with my band, The Michelle Van Handel quintet or The Groove Merchants as well as being part of a light & Latin cocktail group called Summer Samba. I perform regularly and teach a jazz vocal class at Cascade Community School of Music.
*vocalese is a melodic line sung without words