Michael Payen.
Michael was a student with us for over 10 years! He studied Keyboard and piano here with Gail from the age of 7 and went on to complete his Grade 8.
After completing our Play For Keeps Course and taking part in our Advanced Band Project, Michael studied Music at Keele University and then completed his Masters in the United States, making him Master of Music in Music Technology.
Michael also worked with us as a receptionist and cover teacher. The experience he gained here proved invaluable when he worked as a music technology teacher later in life in the USA.
There is no doubt that the performance opportunities and excellent standard of teaching practice presented by Derby YMS have helped him develop his craft and become the superstar he is today!
According Michael's Website...
Michael Payen, of Derby, England, has been involved in choirs since the early age of 8, where he joined the Derby Cathedral choir as a chorister. Over the following eight years he rose through the ranks eventually becoming Headboy whilst attaining the Dean’s and Bishop’s choral award along the way.
Though leaving the choir to pursue music at University, Michael has been involved in several choirs both in England and in the United States. Most recently, he has been a section leader for the internationally acclaimed Georgia Southern Chorale.
After getting his Bachelor’s degree in music at Keele University, England, he travelled to the United States and recently graduated from Georgia Southern University as a Master of Music in Music Technology. During his time at Georgia Southern, Michael maintained a keen interest in Choral performance and composition, with his pieces being debuted by the Georgia Southern Chorale, while his piece ‘Somnum’ for solo Soprano, piano and electronics has been presented at multiple national conferences and will be performed at the International Computer Music Conference (ICMC) in Texas in September 2015
The Lamentation of David
Performed by the Georgia Southern Chorale.
The GSU Chorale performed this in Budapest, Hungary. It was part of a performance that earned them the top prize in the mixed category at the Laurea Mundi International Choir Competition 2016.
