Episode Description
In this episode of the Berklee VoiceCast, host Charlie Christenson is joined by Michael Sean Harris for a practical conversation about one of every singer's biggest challenges: learning songs in a way that leads to confident, expressive performance. Drawing from his book Mike's Pocket Performance Pointers, Michael shares strategies that help singers move beyond memorization and build a deeper connection to the music.
Together, they explore techniques for learning lyrics more effectively, including writing them by hand, making them physical through movement, and using recordings and technology as tools for reinforcement. Michael explains how these approaches help performers internalize music so they can communicate more freely and authentically on stage.
The conversation also examines the unique challenges of performing music from cultures and dialects that may not be your own. Michael offers thoughtful perspectives on authenticity, respect, and the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation.
Whether you're preparing your first recital or performing professionally, this episode is filled with practical advice for building stronger performances through intentional practice, cultural awareness, and meaningful storytelling.
Credits
Produced and Hosted by Charlie Christenson
Music by Charlie Christenson and excertps from “Say Ladeo” written by Bobby McFerrin, Don Rosler, and Roger Treece, arranged by Roger Treece, and performed live (March 2024) by the Berklee Vocal Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Ned Rosenblatt.
Guest Bio
Michael Sean Harris graduated from Berklee College of Music in June 2000 with a dual major in music synthesis and contemporary writing and production. He has served as director of studies and dean for the School of Music at the Edna Manley College in Kingston, Jamaica. He earned a master's degree in music technology and innovation from Berklee College of Music’s Valencia campus and has worked as an academic consultant for the African Music Institute in Libreville, Gabon.
In February 2020, Harris launched his podcast, Mike’s Moment of..., which serves as a platform for documenting and sharing the stories of some of the well-known champions and unsung heroes of Jamaican culture. He recently published his first book, Mike’s Pocket Performance Pointers, aimed at improving the stagecraft of vocalists.
Harris is a primary consultant with Digicel Rising Stars, acting as a performance coach, and he can also be seen regularly on television as one of the resident judges on the High School Choir competition TVJ’s All Together Sing. He continues to work on his lifelong project Folkbeats and Blipspeak, an exploration of the fusion of Jamaican folk music with electronic beats and textures. His latest innovation is the online school Reggae On-Line, an online portal to courses on Jamaican culture. At Berklee, Harris teaches the Musical Theater New Works Development Ensemble, Vocal Improvisation, Vocal Technique for Non-Voice Principals, private lessons and many other courses.
Links from This Episode
Berklee College of Music: berklee.edu
Berklee Voice Department: college.berklee.edu/voice
Berklee Voice Instagram: instagram.com/berklee.voice/
Charlie Christenson: charliechristenson.com
Michael Sean Harris Website: michaelseanharris.com
Harris on Instagram: @aelsean / @reggaeonlineschool
Further Listening:
Mundo by Rubén Blades (Sony, 2002)
Up! by Shania Twain (Mercury, 2002)