Bloomingdale School of Music - Faculty -

Michael Joviala was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. He began studying piano at age 6 after his parents bought a piano. "I started lessons and never thought of stopping." Michael moved to New York after living abroad for a period of time. "I was attracted to New York because it is a truly international city with almost limitless possibilities for artists and musicians."

At Bloomingdale, Michael teaches Dalcroze Eurhythmics, working with students to connect sound and movement. "I try to start with the music already inside the child: walking, running, jumping, and skipping, become the basis for improvisation. Familiar songs are also used as an introduction to the basic elements of music: high/low, soft/loud, and slow/fast. Reading music is also approached in my classes, slowly and methodically." Ultimately, Michael sees his goal as a teacher to "try to help the student find joy in music."

Michael's latest project, the group Primitivo, premiered at Bloomingdale last year. It's a trio playing waltzes, tangos, mazurkas as well as '30's style hot jazz. The trio includes piano, melodica, clarinet, harmonica, guitar and violin, and is perhaps best described as Igor Stravinsky meets Django Rheinhardt. "I most enjoy the collaborative element in music, particularly small jazz groups. I love the intimacy, the unpredictability, and the communication that goes on during spontaneous group improvisation."