On Thursday, January 7, the Vocal Program at MI presents a special concert/clinic featuring American Idol Associate Music Director and Vocal Coach Dorian Holley. After his performance, Holley will field questions from MI students about vocal technique, performance, and the music industry.

Holley was formerly the Vocal Director for Michael Jackson’s monumental “This Is It” tour and performed as a vocalist on all of Jackson’s solo tours. Dorian has performed, toured, or soloed with a “Who’s Who” of the vocal world, including artists such as: Queen Latifah, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie, Don Henley, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Usher, Cristina Aguilera, Fantasia, Stevie Nicks, Patti Labelle, Chris Brown, Herbie Hancock, Jon Legend, Chris Daughtry, Mary J. Blige, Joni Mitchell, Jennifer Hudson, Joss Stone, and Seal, to name but a few.

On the silver screen Dorian’s voice is featured in motion pictures such as The Princess And The Frog, Happy Feet, American Gangster, and Ice Age 2, and on TV shows such as Dancing With The Stars (the first three seasons).

In the realm of vocal training, Dorian teaches an instructional series including such titles as “What You Need To Know Now To Work In The Music Business,” “The Art Of Background Singing,” “The Art Of The Audition,” “Out Of The Background,” and “I, Performer.”