Michelle Harper

Style: Pop; Classical; Musical Theatre

Title: Owner and Studio Director

Bio:

Michelle Harper earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Voice from Webster University in St. Louis in 2009. Following graduation, she began teaching private voice lessons and has since dedicated her career to helping singers of all ages and experience levels discover their voices and grow as performers. In 2018, she expanded her studio to include acting instruction. Michelle specializes in classical, musical theatre, and contemporary commercial music (CCM), emphasizing healthy vocal technique, confident performance, and individualized instruction.

As both a performer and educator, Michelle has built a career centered around sharing her passion for music and theatre. She advanced through multiple rounds of auditions, including the producer rounds, for both American Idol and The Voice. She was also invited to perform the halftime show for a Kansas City Chiefs Breast Cancer Awareness game in 2013, and has had the honor of singing the United States and Canadian National Anthems for numerous professional and collegiate sporting organizations, including the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, KC Mavericks, Sporting KC, Mizzou Athletics, USA Rugby, and NASCAR. In 2023, Michelle was nominated for a Broadway Regional Award for her role as Miss Honey in Matilda at the Kauffman Center.

Michelle’s theater experience spans both community and professional productions with Weston Community Theatre, The Culture House, Arts Vitales, Blue Curtain Project, and Theatre for Young America. Some of her favorite stage credits include Fiona (Shrek), Donna (Mamma Mia!), Doralee (9 to 5), Miss Honey (Matilda), Mrs. Potts (Beauty and the Beast), Sister Mary Hubert (Nunsense), Mrs. Gloop (Willy Wonka), and May (Junie B. Jones TYA).

In addition to her extensive stage experience, Michelle has also worked in film, appearing as a featured extra in the holiday feature film Gingerbread Men, which is scheduled to premiere during the 2026 holiday season.

She is a proud member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and believes in providing students with opportunities to grow beyond the lesson studio. Through NATS, Harper Haus students have the opportunity to compete at the local, regional, and national levels. Harper Haus students have consistently earned top honors at the local and regional levels, with several receiving invitations to audition for the National Student Auditions following their exceptional regional placements.

Michelle’s students have earned leading, featured, and ensemble roles in school, community, and professional theater productions. They have been accepted into collegiate programs for opera performance, musical theatre, and acting, and have received numerous honors at the MSHSAA Solo & Small Ensemble Festival.

In 2026, one of Michelle’s students represented the Kansas City region at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (The Jimmy Awards®) in New York City, where she was one of only six students nationwide to receive a Jimmy Scholarship Award from the featured group.

Michelle’s teaching philosophy is simple: “Practice makes progress.” She believes every student deserves a supportive environment where they feel encouraged to take risks, develop confidence, and celebrate growth. Whether preparing for auditions, competitions, college programs, or simply singing for the joy of it, Michelle is committed to helping each student become the best performer, and person, they can be.

As the owner of Harper Haus, Michelle is proud to foster a welcoming, family-centered community where students are encouraged to learn, create, and grow both on and off the stage.

When she’s not teaching or performing, Michelle's greatest joy is spending time with her husband, James, their daughter, Charlie, and her bonus children, Chase, James, and Emma.

Voice Type: Mezzo-soprano

Music Styles Taught: Pop; Classical; Musical Theatre

Availability: I am available as a performer; I have a wait-list for private lessons; I am currently accepting private students; I offer lessons in a group environment

Contact Information