Michelle Cleary
Professional anthem singer, singer/songwriter, theme song writer, psychotherapist, business owner, ... Question: How does one woman end up doing all of this, and doing it well? Answer: Tell her she can't do it...
For the past 13 years Michelle has been a psychotherapist. Her practice specializing in troubled adolescents, eating disorders and working with autistic children. Professional anthem singer, singer/songwriter, theme song writer, psychotherapist, business owner, ... Question: How does one woman end up doing all of this, and doing it well? Answer: Tell her she can't do it...
In the wake of September 11th, Michelle, the daughter of a firefighter, was asked by the FDNY to perform anthems. She began taking up a long forgotten dream of singing- this time, in services dedicated to the fallen heroes of New York. After dozens of ceremonial performances of the national anthem, she found herself before a crowd of 19,000 at Madison Square Garden. It was after this performance Michelle realized that no matter how rewarding her career working with children had been (and still remains) performing will forever be a part of her life.
Since that day Michelle has sung the anthem at MSG more then 30 times, sung God Bless America for Game #5 of the ALDS for the New York Yankees, and has released 2 EP's. She also composed the tribute song "Not Forgotten" which has been heard on CBS channel 2 News, at Nassau Coliseum, and at a multitude of ceremonies and fundraisers. She co-authored her first commissioned song "She Is Me" and formed ClearLine Publishing, Ltd., a music publishing company. At this point in her life she discovered that she did not have to give up one dream in order to follow another.
So here she is... singer, songsmith, therapist, business woman, and currently trying on her 4th hat as co-author on an upcoming book about autism. Michelle is finding ways to connect all of her dreams and talents; because she believes you can do it all.
Women are multi-faceted. They embrace the outer roles of wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend. And yet they have inner roles; those that need to be honored in order to be authentic, productive and truly happy. They are artists, entrepreneurs, mentors and visionaries. And when they ignore their true selves they become unbalanced and experience self-doubt, anxiety and depression.
Like many women, Vanessa experienced those moments through struggles with weight, periods of insecurity and postpartum depression. It was the wisdom of her mother and the connection with strong, beautiful women around her that reminded her of how to best honor and nurture her true self back to life. She was then motivated to start her own business in 2009.
The key to our true selves lies within our beauty. Not the beauty purchased in a store or created by someone else. The beauty that begins within and is illuminated by expressions of our own style, our own true self. We become our best when we embrace our inner and outer beauty.
Her role as a stylist/jeweler/makeup artist began at an early age—creating jewelry at age nine completing etiquette classes and mastering a make-up kit at 12. And the importance of family, love and an authentic life that were the focus of her young life keeps her grounded in her own authentic self today. Her mother’s early lessons and ever-present support have been key in her business success. She strives to make each client comfortable in their own skin, comfortable with their own beauty, able to meet their personal goals and budget, just as her mother did for her.
Her Dominican heritage, her creative light and her personal journey to celebrate her true self all support each and every women she connects with. Whether developing a sense of a client’s true style, managing a wardrobe that allows that style to shine through, speaking on self care, mentoring women or creating the perfect piece of accent jewelry, one thing is constant, she is committed to empowering women to be their best, everyday.
