Sing the song that was born in your heart, not someone else’s tune.

Welcome!

This website contains inspiring lessons, songs, music videos, and other content to to help you discover your true calling, build the courage to go after your dreams, persist through setbacks, and accomplish your aims. The guidance is simple, and it works!
Check out my recent work!

CALL ME CRAZY, Beautiful Thing Records, 2012

CALL ME CRAZY Beautiful Thing Records,...

SHAKE IT UP, Beautiful Thing Records, 2011

SHAKE IT UP Beautiful Thing Records,...

SHINE, Beautiful Thing Records, 2008

SHINE Beautiful Thing Records, 2008 Do...

About Michelle Chappel

Dr. MICHELLE MILLIS CHAPPEL is an internationally acclaimed musician, businesswoman and keynote speaker who inspires us to be more creative in work and life.

She has a BS from Georgetown and PHD from Princeton in psychology. After being voted “Most Inspirational Professor” at the University of California, Santa Cruz, she ditched academics to follow her childhood dream to be a singer-songwriter-producer.

Since then she’s had top 10 and 20 radio singles in South Africa and the UK; a #1 hit on US college radio; 7 songs featured on ABC, HBO, Encore, and Showtime; and won 17 Billboard awards. She was also a finalist for “Best International Artist” in Australia (The MusicOz Awards).

For 16 years Chappel has used music in her creativity workshops and keynote talks and helped thousands of people on the road to personal fulfillment and success. She’s also served as an international research consultant for companies such as Google, eBay, TiVo, and Yahoo!

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Activism

Michelle deeply cares about the welfare of others. She has played several benefits to raise awareness about the homeless, rape and sexual abuse, domestic violence, and the elderly.

She was recognized for “incredible efforts for the homeless community” by the city of San Jose and Project Homeless Connect for her work with the homeless in Northern California. Her music video “No Place like Home” raised donations for homeless organizations from Atlanta to San Jose (2010).

The music video for “No Place like Home”, from “Shake it Up”, is currently playing at select movie theaters in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Endorsements

Michelle’s creativity transforms lives. In her workshops, music, and consulting, she touches our hearts to reveal powerful new possibilities.Diane Dreher, Ph.D., Author of The Tao of Inner Peace
The message that we should be who we really are permeates Michelle Chappel’s music. She instructs us not to mold ourselves to fit the expectations of our parents, teachers, bosses, or anyone else, but instead to realize our authentic selves. This message follows and amplifies the greatest psychologists and counselors of the 20th century—people like Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow, and Viktor Frankl.David Felman, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and author of The End-of-Life Handbook
In a world filled with “cookie cutter” recording artists, Michelle Chappel stands head and shoulders above the crowd.Greg Edmunson, music composer for the hit TV series King of the Hill
The songwriting (SHINE) is strong and Michelle has a fantastic sound that occasionally reminds me of Lucinda Williams whom I used to go hear at bars in Austin before she became a star.Daniel Gilbert, Ph.D., Harvard professor of psychology and international best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness
Michelle’s music heals. I haven’t seen anything like Michelle since I interviewed Shakti Gawaiin (author of Creative Visualization), and John Gray (author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus) before he made it big. She’s a star.Emmy Moore Minister, host of the TV show Voice of the Valley
The attractive woman has a goal to help others through her music, as well as her work in her chosen educational focus. Her all-original CD is titled “Shake It Up,” and it really is more than refreshing. A number of Chappel’s songs have hit written all over them. I especially like “Flying Free.”Beth Peerless, CD review for The Monterey Herald.
Michelle’s keynote speech to ISC young men and women, and their parents, was uniformly and exceptionally well-received. It was touching and uncommon. Michelle will always have a place in our hearts for who she is and what she does. Her true light shone that evening.Raj Paul
Michelle has really hit a chord with people. Just about everyone says she’s the best instructor they ever had, and that her classes have changed their lives.Judy Rose, Director of Humanities, University of California, Santa Cruz Extension
I am so glad Michelle shared her music and spirit. It couldn’t have been more perfect.Eric Odel, Music Minister, Center for Spiritual Living, Seattle, WA
I am impressed with Michelle’s CD (Simple Graces). I particularly like “So Disappointed.”Fred Luskin, Ph.D., Author of How to Forgive For Good
Everybody loved Michelle! Her music and style is really uplifting and she is truly an entertainer!!! We should all get degrees in psychology to know how to interact with our audiences so well!!!Jackie Whitaker, Owner of Ragamuffin Music, Atlanta, GA