Dr Michael Bonshor

Dr Michael Bonshor was appointed as a Lecturer on the MA in Music Education at UCL in March 2023. He is also Course Director of the MA in Music Psychology in Education, Performance and Wellbeing at the University of Sheffield, a Lecturer on the MA in Musical Direction and BA Acting/Actor Musician Courses at Leeds Conservatoire. He has been a Visiting Lecturer at York St John University and the Royal Welsh College of Music. Michael has a background as a professional singer with international contracts, and he has had a long career as a conductor and teacher of singing. His MA dissertation focused on managing performance anxiety in amateur singers, and his PhD explored strategies for confidence building in choral settings. Michael’s postdoctoral research has included projects on psychological wellbeing for singers and choir leaders; holistic wellbeing in brass band players; the development of music library services and resources; and equality, diversity and inclusion in amateur music groups. Michael’s publications have included articles and book chapters on confidence building for performers; conductor communication; group dynamics in musical ensembles; brass band playing; and music and wellbeing. His book, The Confident Choir: A Handbook for Leaders of Group Singing was published by Rowman Littlefield International. Michael has presented his work at international research conferences and regularly delivers practical workshops on confidence-building and team building in education, business, and community settings.

special interests

Music and wellbeing, performance anxiety management, music education and community music making, conducting, musical leadership and group dynamics, vocal development and training, equality, diversity and inclusion in music making and education, performance psychology for confidence building in musical and non-musical contexts

thesis title

Confidence and the Choral Singer: The Effects of Choir Configuration, Collaboration and Communication

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