Michelle Dodson
Freelance Musician and Educator
She / her
About
Michelle is an artist in Seattle, Washington dedicated to making art for the community. She studied both classical and jazz music with an emphasis in cello performance at DePaul University School of Music in Chicago, and she is passionate about making art accessible to all people, regardless of background or socioeconomic status.
Art is a physical manifestation of culture, and it long outlasts the society represented. All people in the communities being immortalized should have access to and interaction with the artists creating the artifacts. She strives to perform in accessible spaces with options for cheap or free tickets, subsidized or otherwise funded to ensure all audiences can engage.She began her music degree at age 16 at University of Missouri St. Louis under the Ariana String Quartet, and she transferred to DePaul University in Chicago after graduating high school, where she earned her liberal arts degree, a Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in cello performance, and a minor in economics from the Driehaus College of Business. She studied with Stephen Balderston. While in Chicago, she played in the City Lights Orchestra and Chicago Composers' Orchestra. She also recorded, debuted and toured an album with the funk fusion band Pyzow!, sparking an interest in jazz and funk music that led her out West just months after her graduation.Upon moving to the Pacific Northwest in 2018, Michelle became involved in the recording industry, being a featured artist in soundtracks and recording two solo albums of baroque and modern music respectively. She currently performs in the Seattle area with Everett Philharmonic, various string quartets, and substitutes in a variety of ensembles.Michelle currently specializes in teaching piano and cello, emphasizing an understanding of music theory, interpreting musical ideas, and developing instrument techniques to communicate musical ideas. She, her dog, and her cat love to go on hikes or walk around town when she is not playing music!
Work
Michelle began performing publicly at age 13, and she began professionally playing music in 2017. She plays all forms of ensembles and solo endeavors, as well as teaches privately and publicly.
Private teacher large studios of adult and youth cello and piano students at Meter Music School and Mode Music Studios
Section cellist of the Everett Philharmonic since 2021
Substitute cellist in ensembles, including the Saratoga Orchestra, Chicago Composers' Orchestra, City Lights Orchestra
Guest coach Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra
Solo fundraising events for Sustainable Seattle, Citizen University, Skyline Chorale, Photon Factory, AidNW fundraising, The Golden Thread
Wrote and performed the finale music for Bharatanatyam dancer Rohena Alam Khan at Folk Life Festival 2024
Storyteller and Cello Duo performances with 2019 Vashon Island Poet Laureate Merna Ann Hecht (2019-present)
Recurrent solo performances Wednesday lunch hour at I5 Pho Seattle, Sunday brunches at The Dane Seattle (2018-2020)
String quartet performances for private events and chamber festivals
Works include collaboration with composers Quinn Mason, Carlos Garcia, William C. White, Tom Matta, Alexis Kottoulas, Ivan Pyzow, Kelly Sheehan, Kyle Rieger, and more.
Film scores including "They Reach" and "All That Remains"
Solo Bach album released in April 2020 entitled "Feeling Suite"
Solo modern composition album released December 2022 entitled "The River and The Sea"