ABOUT

Prospective employers – download current CV here: Michael Humphrey CV 2018

Michael Humphrey. And the MDH is just my initials not some inspirational acronym.

I grew up in Northern Ireland learning the bassoon and saxophone from a special collection of teachers and tutors in the area before eventually broadening out into piano lessons (so that I could be an effective music teacher myself) and self-taught guitar and singing.

Went to study at the University of Oxford where as well as getting access to an amazing degree programme, I fully enjoyed the extra-curricular life of orchestras, choirs, plays, open mics etc. The highlights were getting to conduct some major orchestral works, particularly the Grieg Piano Concerto and Tchaik 4, and joining and eventually directing a cappella group Out of the Blue. It was in this new a cappella context where I started to really love arranging and rehearsal directing – and of course the busy schedule of performances was the perfect lifestyle.

Next came 2 years in Edinburgh and a whole new set of inspirational people and mentors as I trained to be a high school music teacher, led a children’s choir, busked a lot, and did a bit more religious choral singing. Most pertinently at this time I started to invest some serious energy in writing songs.

Moved south in 2007 and took a teaching job in North West London, joined a second a cappella group In the Smoke and soon formed an acoustic trio with musical soulmates from university days. Exciting escapades in school and outside – albums, competitions, collaborations, then a move into the fully freelance life for a while, and a move South East. Michael now lives near Lewisham and enjoys splitting his time between school engaging young people through music and songwriting, vocal work and live performances.