Michelle Jacques and Matt Berkeley
Michelle’s music weaves the sacred and the soulful, drawing from traditions, rhythms, and ancestral memory of the African diaspora. Her love of the music connects her to something much larger than herself—community, history, and spirituality—which allows her to channel that energy into spaces of joy. Expect a powerful, heart-opening experience filled with hope and a deep sense of connection that stays with you long after the final note.
Join us for the next in our series of sacred music celebrations at Commonweal, presented in collaboration with long-time Commonweal friend Toby Symington, executive director of the Lloyd Symington Foundation and transpersonal astrologer. Held at the solstice and equinox, the concerts—and gatherings afterward—are designed to bring people together in a convivial setting around music which delights, inspires, and elevates the soul.
Michelle Jacques
Michelle Jacques is a voice actor, culture-keeper, and founding member of the Street Sounds A Cappella touring quintet. A devoted educator and advocate for cultural preservation, Michelle continues to weave music, history, and heart into powerful experiences that uplift, inspire, and illuminate the stories of her community.
As the Artistic Director and founder of CHELLE! Music—home to the vibrant CHELLE! and Friends NOLA Big Band and the soulful CHELLE’S JUKE JOINT A Cappella Quintet—she brings the spirit of New Orleans, the ancestors, and the joy of communal music-making to every stage she touches.
Michelle serves as choral director at Plymouth UCC, the Church of Jazz and Justice, and has lent her leadership to the Recording Academy’s San Francisco/Colorado Chapter as both Vice President and Secretary. Her artistry has been honored with awards and grants including the InterMusic SF grant for her acclaimed Daughters of the Delta Project, the City of Oakland Individual Artist Grant, and a Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award for “Home Africa.” Her voice can also be heard in the Sundance-selected film La Mission with Benjamin Bratt.
Matt Berkeley
Matt is a versatile Bay Area pianist and keyboardist whose work spans soul, jazz, folk, and contemporary global styles. A seasoned bandleader, educator, and recording artist, he brings sensitivity and musicality to every collaboration. In addition to his own projects, Matt is an experienced accompanist for vocalists, ensembles, and community music events.
Recommended Episodes
Opening the Gate of the Heart: An Afternoon of Celtic Harp
An Afternoon of Indian Classical Music
A Celebration of Sympathetic Strings
