Project Imagine

Michele Fernández is a published composer, active guest clinician, adjudicator and performer. Her jazz and symphonic compositions have premiered at Midwest, CBDNA, IAJE, MEAs and all-state/regional venues as well as professional venues. Her works are currently (and/or scheduled to be) published through Hal Leonard, Excelcia/Kendor, Doug Beach, JW Pepper, Murphy Music Press, Print Music Source/Jazz Zone and Jazz Lines/Walrus. She is a member of Phi Beta Mu (Omega Chapter) and an active member of FBA, JEN, ISJAC and MBDNA. She frequently serves as a guest clinician/conductor for all-state groups and regional honors jazz/symphonic groups. She has appeared as a Midwest Clinic lecturer (’07/’16), JEN ’22, and various state MEAs. She is a sponsored and partner clinician, as well as a freelance guest clinician/conductor for universities and districts across the country.

Michele recently retired from teaching in Miami after 30 years, where her Miami Senior High School ensembles earned top honors and gained international acclaim. Her groups have been selected for Midwest Clinic (Chicago ’93 and ’98), IAJE (Boston ’94 and NYC ’97), Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland ’96), FMEA (Tampa ’94 and ’97) and various national publications. She and her students were the subject of a segmenton CBS Sunday Morning and a cover story in Band Director’s Guide, and Michele was featured as an outstanding educator in DownBeat Magazine. Before focusing on writing and clinics, Michele served as an active oboist in the Miami area, as well as a rhythm section player in a busy Afro-Latin/jazz group.