Watch Michelle teach here.
Read adult testimonials here.
See teen testimonials here.
See high school classwork here.
Michelle’s creative focus shares the same root as her joy in teaching; a love of people and the desire to understand them. She listens to her students and hears their needs, trying to find unique paths to help each one grow and achieve their individual goals. Whether it's helping prepare competitive portfolios or offering a means of expressing oneself confidently. The skills she teaches gives students greater control over desired outcomes and aids in the clear communication of ones thoughts and feelings. Michelle knows that the benefits of creative expression stretch far beyond canvas and have the power to comfort us deeply.
What students have said:
“There was a radical and very beneficial change in my approach to art. I found the discipline and patience I needed and craved, as no school or teacher before Michelle had taught me so conscientiously to see in order to draw correctly. Also, Michelle is unique in her passion for the beauty of art and music. For a young person in this day and age, she enjoys the classics, something I rarely see. And lastly, she teaches in a philosophical way that I admired and enjoyed. She is definitely a no nonsense teacher and I was lucky to find her in my journey through art. Definitely a must take class to start off on the right foot.”
~Renate Reid, Adult Student
"Michelle has an understanding of art beyond technical skill. She taught me to strive for a combination of skill and intuition to create art that transcends just pencil and paper."
~Anonymous, Adult Student
“I truly enjoyed the experience. Your passion and dedication are always clear and were contagious. I think more than anything I became a much more critical and analytical viewer and could see relationships more clearly in everything I observed. I especially loved that your standards were always uncompromising.”
~Vera Mingovits, Adult Student
“A diamond in the rough. An educator who cared more about a proper, personalized learning experience than meeting the bare minimum credentials presented by a department.”
~Logan McNamara, Adult Student
"I am forever grateful to have been Michelle's student. I had the amazing opportunity to learn so much from her. She is not only a great teacher but also a caring, humble, and wonderful person. She's the kind of art teacher I would recommend to anyone, especially young students who are still discovering who they are as artists. She will take the time to know you, learn about what inspires you and motivate you to express your inner voice through your artwork. At the same time she is great at explaining all the technical aspects of drawing, she will teach you all the things you need to know helping you every step of the way. I am grateful to her for helping me build confidence in myself as an artist, for teaching me so many things that helped me develop my artistic skills and for sharing her knowledge and passion for art."
~Nicole Sacco, College Student
“Working with Michelle was a great experience. She is not only a teacher but also a role model. Her approach to teaching and attitude towards the subject are what I admire most. Rather than list mistakes made by a student Michelle teaches them to open their eyes and identify mistakes on their own. I hope I have the opportunity to work with her again because after leaving class although I do not use the exact method in my drawing I do have a new toolkit available to achieve what I want from my artwork.”
~Kevin Williamson, Adult Student
"Michelle is an exceptional teacher to her students. She has an approach that is open and not intimidating. I did not know how to draw ANYTHING but wanted to learn for the longest time. When I first looked at her credentials, I was quite impressed. I was more impressed when I met her : Michelle has an open approach to teaching her students-Allowing them the freedom to develop their own artistry while teaching/emphasizing the practical elements needed to accurately draw. It is a delicate balance to achieve but Michelle did it with great ease! She was never impatient. A true angel! I loved taking her classes and hope to come back for more!"
~Clara Lengyel Kremenic, Adult Student
“Michelle is a truly skilled teacher who found ways to effectively teach art in a fun and concise manner. She went the extra mile to make sure each student received the personal attention they needed, which is a difficult balance to strike when teaching 10+ students! I learned so much while attending her class!”
~Peter Thompson, High School Student
“It's a very comfortable environment. There's no anxiety about how a question will be perceived and it makes requesting help less daunting a task. I feel as though I've gained a good number of skills in the short time we have been working together and has made a world I know little about more accessible. Hands down she teaches my favorite class I've ever taken at the Art league.”
~Anonymous, Adult Student
“Learning from you has been an amazing experience. Not only have you taught me how to take my time while drawing but to also understand a drawing's components. After attending the many classes I took with you I noticed my work slowly improve. I understood how to approach drawing and was much more open to a new way of working. Not only have you helped guide me, taken your time to speak to me about my work, and really helped me as a student, you've also helped me become a better artist. The first class was tough. I wasn't used to working the way you were trying to teach me. As soon as I listened and understood your approach, I followed what you said and applied the new concept. Since then I've improved drastically. You're hands down one of the best teachers I've had the pleasure of learning from.”
~Isabella Brand, High School Student
"Michelle taught in a manner that allowed me to explore and learn on my own without guiding me to the point where the learning aspect of the class was eliminated. She offered techniques to better my artwork, which I continue to apply in every piece I approach and bring to completion. Overall, I noticed a significant skill improvement, as well as an increase in my knowledge of art in general."
~Jessica Mennella, High School Student
*Accepted with scholarships to SVA and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
“Taking classes with Michelle has greatly augmented my abilities and knowledge of art. I have learned many new, useful techniques which help me to be a better artist and understand how to create powerful pieces that are both interesting and accurate. I now have multiple problem solving strategies up my sleeve when drawing, and I also have a stronger sense of motivation in art with the knowledge I have acquired from her classes. I feel as though I have a greater understanding of art and its many mediums.”
~Katelyn Donahue, High School Student
“Learning one on one has been a great experience. Since beginning these sessions my technical skill has progressed exponentially. I now have a greater understanding of the visual arts and artistic processes. Working with Michelle has helped me advance as an artist and I am now pursuing an education in fine art.”
~Maya Srinivasan, High School Student
*Accepted to RISD, SVA, and Cornell University
“Michelle is an amazing instructor and has taught me so much in the short amount of time I’ve studied with her. She taught me how to see like an artist, with greater attention to detail, and to put this detail to paper. I feel that I’ve become a stronger, more attentive artist.
The best art class I’ve taken in a very long time, if not ever.”
~Barbara B., Adult Student
“Michelle has been an amazing art teacher, she helped me with my art portfolio for college. She taught me so much about drawing. Normally I would just dive right in without actually thinking too much about the detail of what I was drawing. Michelle taught me how to find smaller details and how to create them. She is an excellent teacher and I was very lucky to be taught by her. Anyone looking for help in art should definitely learn from Michelle.”
~Ashley Mann, High School Student
“Extremely positive experience. She has great technical skill, a lot of enthusiasm, and helps you stay focused on the goal at hand. I'm more aware of the steps I need to complete to achieve success.”
~Michael Picerno, Adult Student
“I had a wonderful experience and enjoyed taking multiple classes with Michelle. My ability immediately increased which led to an even greater interest and love for art.”
~Nikki Lee, Adult Student
“My experience as your student has not only been rewarding but also taught me excellent drawing and painting skills. I would highly recommend your class, not only based on your artistic skills, but on your patience and understanding of students of all ages.”
~Pat Ruggiero, Adult Student
