VELVIN, Michelle

Michelle Velvin is a Wellington based harpist, composer and teacher. As a musician her explorations have led to diverse collaborations over wide-ranging genres and disciplines. Most recently in 2021 she has been working closely in duo 'Tamira Pūoro' to record their first album. This duo features Ruby Solly (taonga pūoro, cello, vocals) and Michelle Velvin (harp, vocals). Instrumental tracks explore the relationship between taonga pūoro and harp, and vocal tracks look into the history of Aotearoa New Zealand's social landscape. In 2019/2020 Michelle won the SOUNZ Community Commission to create a new work for the Auckland Harp Orchestra and live dancers. In 2020 Michelle developed music with artists Mara TK, Cory Champion, Lucien Johnson, Deva Mahal, and Nikau Ni Weera. During lockdown Michelle created new music for Covid Colab, and her composition Bones for solo harp and electronics was featured on the NZSO livestream video Speed. In 2019, Michelle had her composition When I was a bird premiered at the Melbourne International Saxophone Festival. Michelle completed her PgDip in harp performance at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music in 2015. She performs as part of all of New Zealand's major orchestras and regularly with various chamber music groups.