Michal will perform at Cheslea Stage on Feb. 9 with his show This 'Ol House. Learn More.
He has been teaching in his private studio in NYC for nearly 15 years. He is also an adjunct professor of Voice at the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University (MSU), where he teaches music theater voice and performance technique. His students regularly appear in shows on Broadway and off-Broadway, in regional theaters around the country, and in national and international tours. Michael performs cabaret in NYC, and he has worked collaboratively at the piano with singers for cabarets in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Hong Kong. He works as a contributing correspondent CabaretHotSpot.com, writing reviews of cabaret shows as well as artist interviews and album reviews.
Michael previously served on the faculty of CAP21/NYU Tisch School of the Arts and as a coach/accompanist at Westminster Choir College. He has presented workshops at NATS Regional Festivals, NYSTA’s Professional Development Program, the World Voice Health Day and the North East Theatre Festival for the EDTA (Educational Drama Teachers Association). He served as a theater clinician at the Beacon School in New York and as music director for various productions there, including the first high school productions of Rent and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His other music direction credits include Sideshow; Falsettos; Bye, Bye, Birdie; Sweet Charity; Pippin; The Music Man, and others. Michael is a graduate of Westminster Choir College of Rider University with an MM in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy, and Penn State University with a BMus in Voice Performance. He is a member of the board of directors for the NYC chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) as well as a member of New York Singing Teachers Association (NYSTA), Music Theater Educators Alliance (MTEA), Manhattan Association of Cabaret and Clubs (MAC) and the National Opera Association (NOA).
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I met Michael when I first moved to NYC to pursue a career in Musical Theater. Before that I had been very fortunate to train with incredible teachers in both classical and musical theater styles. I had a high soprano and a strong belt- but my belt always felt like it hit a ceiling around C/D.... ENTER MICHAEL!!! Within my first few lessons he had me healthfully and easily belt/mixing up to E's and F's. His classical roots lay the groundwork for great technique, and he understands the female voice so well and how to achieve the sounds today's musicals demand without straining or forcing your instrument. Besides being an all around great person, he helped me find vocal flexibility and freedom I had never been able to unlock before, and I am grateful to have studied with him.
Michael C. Rider was recommended to me around the time I was considering to apply to grad school for drama. After my first coaching session with him I was sold! Michael catered to my individual vocal needs and helped me discover my natural voice and how to apply it to singing with empathy and insight. Fortunately I did get accepted into grad school. Thank you for being such an awesome coach, Michael!
I have had the immense pleasure of being a student under Michael for 5+ years, in which he has transformed my voice on and off the stage. Coming into my first session with Michael I felt unsure, disconnected, and lost with "loving my voice". Sixty minutes later, I remember leaving the studio with "purpose, connection, confidence, and direction" which were new words added to my vocabulary next to how I felt about "my voice", which in my wildest dreams I could not have imagined.
Michael has also been a pivotal reason I have been extremely successful in my career outside of the arts. In 2016 I was opening a new fitness studio in New York City that has now become a global, and household name. The pressure of teaching nearly 20+ classes per week brought me back to those "fearful" vocal days, as I was navigating my voice in a brand new space, outside of the arts.
I reconnected with Michael as I tried a ton of "fitness vocal experts", and shortly realized that all I needed was to recenter with my pillar of "purpose, connection, confidence, and direction", which is the foundation that I learned working with Michael.
Seven years later, I have been fortunate enough to open over 100 fitness studios, and with that all in mind, have never had a single ounce of vocal damage. Michael has instilled in me that mentally I can always continue to grow, while continuing to also reset, connect, and grow vocally to be better than yesterday.
Michael Rider knows a woman’s voice better than a woman...I feel so lucky to have worked with Michael as my Music Director for Falsettos at Montclair State University and to have him as my voice teacher years after college. My most memorable lessons with Michael were last minute sessions where I ran in having a problem with a song for an audition or callback. After hearing me sing through the material once, he pinpointed the difficult part, gave me direction and we fixed it! He is MAGIC. Michael is a special teacher because he is able to alter his direction in a specific way to help each individual student in the way they need. This makes me feel like Michael truly is invested in my voice and my journey as a performing artist.
