Michael Veazey
About Michael
Michael Veazey,
Choral Conductor, Singing Coach, Accompanist
Michael Veazey is a specialist in working with singers for live performances. He work with singers in choirs and opera choruses;and as soloists solos in musical theatre, opera or oratorio.
Michael has a skill set for work with singers that is both wide and deep. He has over two decades' experience of conducting a wide variety of choirs; many many hours of work in musical theatre as a pianist with industry specialists from London's West End theatre world; and many years of coaching singers one to one.
Michael Veazey studied Music (B.Mus.) with French at Leeds University; the Franz Liszt Academy, Weimar (Germany), (conducting with répétiteur studies); and the Royal Northern College of Music.
Conductor
Michael studied orchestral & choral conducting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff with Howard Williams (former Music Staff, English National Opera) , and with Adrian Partington (Artistic Director, BBC National Chorus of Wales and Director of Music, Gloucester Cathedral); and Opera coaching/répetiteur studies with Anthony Negus and Gareth Jones of Welsh National Opera.
Choral Conductor
Michael is a highly experienced choral music director & conductor, having been music director of 12 choirs over more than two decades. He is currently Music Director of the Potter’s Bar Choral Society., Herts, The Hardynge Choir, Herts, and Ealing Voices, in West London.
He was music director/conductor of the 100+ strong Godalming Choral Society for 10 years, directing great works such as Verdi’s Requiem, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, and Vaughan-Williams’s Sea Symphony. Font
Pianist/Accompanist
Michael has more recently studied solo piano privately with Mikhail Kazakevich, Russian concert pianist, and Professor at Trinity Laban. He credits Mikhail with teaching him the Russian "singing" style of playing as well as elements of the Leschetizky method (an approach to keeping the hand and arms relaxed while playing)
Michael has in the past been the regular choir accompanist to Potter’s Bar Choral Society, Herts, and to Ealing Voices, West London as well as deputising at multiple other choirs over the years. Michael's choral conducting experience makes him the ideal choir accompanist as he can read vocal parts; anticipate where the conductor will go from; and take sectional rehearsals as needed.
Singing Coach
Michael is also a singing coach, specialising in theatre singing in both musical theatre and opera.
Musical Theatre singing coach
Having played the piano for singing classes in musical theatre at Guildford School of Acting, Surrey, for many hours a week for over 7 years, he absorbed the industry standards of vocal technique and acting techniques. He credits his friend and mentor Rob Forbes with his depth of knowledge of vocal techniques.
More recently he has been working at Mountview Academy Hertford playing for Acting Through Song classes and directing ensembles on their musical theatre courses.
Opera singing coach & répétiteur
In opera, Michael was Music Director of Brent Opera for two seasons and has been an opera répétiteur for many London-based opera companies. Work for University College London Opera included Verdi’s Aroldo and Smetana’s Libuše.
Having developed his reputation in Surrey then London among opera and musical theatre singers, Michael is becoming known as a go-to vocal coach in Herts through the music studio Handside Music co-founded with his wife Jennifer Carter.
Michael works with established actors and singers and younger artists to prepare for auditions, drama college entry and school scholarships; as well as with adults who sing for pleasure and wish to improve power and range.
Piano teaching studio
Michael & Jennifer also teach piano via Handside Music in Welwyn Garden City, Herts,, specialising in early years (age 5+), ABRSM exam preparation and adult piano students.
Private Life
When he is not planning choir programmes, emailing choir committees or preparing scores; practising the piano; or teaching or coaching, Michael is kept busy by his son, Max (who was born in May 2025). Michael is currently attempting to inspire Max by singing at him, with mixed results.
When occasionally let out for good behaviour, Michael enjoys cycling (mostly to rehearsals or classes!), jogging (when his heel permits) and would like to get back to swimming when he's less busy!
In less virtuous moments, Michael likes cakes and hot chocolate, Hollywood action films, Jack Reacher novels, and making his son giggle. He is being trained in the virtues of the Oxford comma by his wife, Jennifer and is an inveterate user of the semi-colon whenever possible; indeed, wherever possible!
Michael & Jennifer are (clearly) massive music & language nerds and have already succeeded in making Max a bibliophile at the earliest possible age. Max's piano playing is as yet limited by his lack of dexterity (he is currently hitting the keys with the flat of his hand). Max's singing shows exceptional potential for a wide variety of vocal sounds including an upper register with excellent squillo (he sometimes temporarily deafens his parents).
Contact Us
07414 123430
4 Hobbs Way, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6HX
Opening Hours
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday: By Appointment
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