Castro Valley native and vocalist Michelle Schantz
December 5th, Bay Philharmonic’s “Ringin’ in the Holidays” concert promises to be a festive start to the holiday season, with highlights being guest artists and holiday favorites.
Included in the program will be vocalist Michelle Schantz, who grew up in Castro Valley and participated in all of the CVUSD choir programs. Michelle studied with Carin Gilfrey, Matthew Liebowitz and Lori Antonioli, and participated in CSSSA at Cal Arts and Berkeley’s California Jazz Conservatory programs. After graduating from CVHS in 2015, Michelle went on to Berklee College of Music in Boston on a vocal scholarship. Adding Production and Engineering as a major, Michelle graduated from Berklee in 2019.
Michelle continues her career as a Bay Area singer, songwriter and producer behind the project buzzcutkil. Drawing on influences from Tinashe and Slayyyter to Lykke Land and Korean R&B, her music pairs an R&B foundation with Y2K shimmer, hyperpop energy, and a dark-pop edge. Her sound varies from track to track, and she writes and produces every song herself.
Hear Michelle, along with Bay Area vocalist Zach Bukarev sing traditional and festive holiday songs accompanied by the Bay Philharmonic, conducted by Dr. Jane K. Brown.
The orchestra will also perform a variety of holiday music, and feature other local guest artists: the Tapestry Bell Ringers of Concord, led by Tessique Houston.
