Michelle James

Michelle James has a 30-year background within music and education including string teaching at a Saturday music school,  Orchestral Librarian of the National Symphony Orchestra in Johannesburg and soprano in the SABC Singers, marketing roles at Trinity Laban, ABRSM and Youth Music and since 2011 as CEO of Sing Up. In 2018, Michelle wrote The Singing School Handbook which is published jointly by Faber Music and Sing Up and won ‘Outstanding Music Education Resource’ at the Music & Drama Education Awards 2020.

 

Michelle has a deep commitment to every child having the opportunity to experience high quality music and has a particular interest in music and the development of the brain.

 

As well as being current Co-Chair of MEC with Barry Farrimond-Chuong, Michelle is on the Board of the Sing Up Foundation which focuses on singing for mental health.. 

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A violinist and singer, Michelle can be found playing the violin in her local community symphony orchestra on most Monday nights. Whereas on Saturday afternoons she can be found singing at Selhurst Park, supporting her beloved Crystal Palace FC.