A passionate violinist and vocalist, Michelle Alany has delighted and wowed audiences worldwide. Specializing in a global acoustic sound that features lush strings, soulful vocals and rhythmic groove, Michelle delivers soulful interpretations of traditional and original Sephardic (Judeo-Spanish), Balkan and Israeli songs infused with her tasty Austin-blues stylings. She is at home delivering haunting Mediterranean melodies, trading shredder blues licks or gently crafting a sensuous country solo on the fly, bringing her joyous abandon and enthusiasm to any world of music.
As an in-demand touring musician and recording artist, she has performed with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, played in sold-out theaters performing silent movie film scores (http://montopolismusic.com), and brought Texas music to packed Jazz and Blues listening rooms in Austria. She works closely with top musicians and recording engineers in Austin, and is currently finishing songs for her first solo album, following the success of her first album with her band Nefesh.

Background to Present:
Drawing from her foundation as a classical musician, she began performing Balkan folk dance music and Klezmer while studying jazz and composition at Cabrillo College and UC Santa Cruz. After graduating cum laude from UCSC, she moved to the east coast to further her non-classical studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston and with New England Conservatory graduate faculty such as Robert Labaree, Hankus Netsky, and just over the river, the consummate Greek, Turkish and Eastern string specialist and mentor, Beth Bahia Cohen. Inspired and ready to perform off-the-page, she moved to the music mecca of Austin, Tx in 2009 and immediately became a strong presence in the dynamic music scene there. Not only was she a rare Balkan and Klezmer musician in a predominantly folk, Blue and Rock scene, she was a welcome guest with many established singer-songwriters and world music acts, getting the opportunity to perform at local hot spots including One World Theater, Stubbs, Antones and the Continental Club to name a few. She has toured internationally with both her own music and as a supporting artist in various capacities, most recently in Europe with a fusion rock-driven Viking Blues band out of Austin. After a successful west coast residency June 2009, she is currently pursuing her dream of playing and writing music in New York City, while maintaining an active performance schedule and residency in Austin.

See this page for her terrific band Nefesh.