Workshop Reviews

Spring 2014/Celestia Performing Arts Workshop

I recently had Michael Kemp work with my choir, the Celestia Performing Arts Group. He gave us one of his “choir booster shots.” It was very helpful and informative. He worked with us on many things such as vocal technique, tone placement, posture, and breathing. Everyone that I spoke with afterwards was very excited and motivated. I received comments like, “This was just what we needed!” and “It was very informative and a lot of fun.” I could not have asked for a better experience for my choir. We are definitely looking forward to having Michael back next semester for another “choir booster”.
~ Alex Ramirez, Director, Celestia Performing Arts Group

Fall 2013 Choir Booster Shot/Philadelphia PA

“A very special thank you to Michael Kemp for assessing and assisting our Saint Joseph’s University Chapel Choir in preparation for our Christmas Mass. We are a large choir (50-60 students) and there was so much technical work that needed to be done that we simply didn’t have time to do during our regular rehearsals. Michael came in for a Saturday workshop and really made them work! He started with common singing issues such as breath support and intonation, which were presented in a very understandable and accessible way. He then went through five pieces of music, drastically changing the choir’s sound. They were more energized and excited about the music, and were singing together as a choir with better balance and dynamics. As a director, I was able to pick up on a few simple ideas that are easily applied to our practices and keep the choir focused and prepared to sing correctly. I am very excited to see how they do at the Christmas Mass and for them to implement what they have learned on a regular basis. Thanks again!”
~ Noel Koenke, Saint Joseph’s University Chapel Choir Director

Summer 2013 Choir Booster Shots/Chattanooga TN and Long Beach MS

“Michael Kemp is a talented and personable clinician. During the festival we talked about how lucky we were to be able to participate in such an event! Long live quality and meaningful music for the enhancement of the worship experience for both participants and people in the congregations!”

“The workshop was joyous and inspirational.”

“The weekend was definitely worth the time and effort!”

“The weekend was terrific! My words to describe it are ‘reaffirming’ and ‘exhilarating’. Michael reminded us of fundamentals for good singing which we know, but forget about, and he put so much joy and enthusiasm for music-making in his work with us that it was infectious and impossible not to join him!”

“Michael Kemp had all the ingredients to enable his participants to have a fantastic musical experience. He was a great clinician; an excellent teacher; exuded enthusiasm; had a sense of humor (a necessity of any leader). He also was also able to maintain the interest of the group to the point that when the session was over one wondered: ‘Can it really be over?’ and no one ever thought of looking at his/her watch!”

“Thank you Michael for making this a very pleasurable musical weekend!”


Click here to read a newspaper article on Michael’s Choral Booster Shot at St Thomas in Long Beach, MS, summer 2013.


Summer 2013 National Pastoral Musicians Convention/Washington DC

“I wanted to thank you once again for your classes presented at the Pastoral Musicians Convention in DC. Your techniques are effective for the choir at Sacred Heart. My approach has changed for the better and continue to improve…Thank you again for your encouragement and dedication to ‘lifting the human spirit’! Your picture is going in the choir room as inspiration!”
~ In God’s Grace, Rebecca Finly

Summer 2013 Choir Booster Shot/Boylston MA

“Thank you Michael for an excellent Booster Shot presentation to our choir. All too often older more ‘mature’ singers will blame poor vocal technique and vocal production on the aging process. Your workshop reminded them in an informative, lively, and entertaining way that one can and should stay ‘physically fit’ vocally. Many of the vocalists said that as a result your presentation they felt  vocally rejuvenated and encouraged to get back to maintaining and/or recovering proper vocal technique. This was and is a much needed message. Thanks so much.”
~ Dr. Robert Eaton, Artistic Director, Assabet Valley Mastersingers and Assabet Valley Chambersingers