Colette Michaan, a first generation American of Egyptian descent, was born and raised in New York City. She attended the United Nations International High School and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Sarah Lawrence College. Throughout her school years, and well into her twenties, Colette studied independently with some of N.Y.'s finest jazz musicians, as well as at Jazzmobile and in ongoing workshops led by Barry Harris in N.Y.C. In the late seventies, when the N.Y. Jazz scene was thriving, Colette worked at the "Village Vanguard" where night after night she was exposed to the performances of inspiring musical masters. These experiences greatly influenced Colette's musical development. Simultaneously, Colette developed interest in the fields of psychology, metaphysics and divination. After years of study, she began practicing astrology professionally. This evolved into a full time practice in NYC, which included readings as well as teaching. In 2001, she discontinued her astrological practice of 23 years, in order to focus more completely on her love of music. In 1997, Colette gave birth to her daughter. Being a mother, she feels, has changed every aspect of her life and her music. Since 1978, Colette has been leading own ensembles playing flutes, vocalizing and composing, as well as actively freelancing with a variety of other groups. She has traveled extensively around the world, making music with local musicians. She has performed with Minangkabau saluang musicians in Sumatra, hill tribe musicians of northern Thailand, Iban tribe players from the jungles of Borneo, Rajasthani desert and classical musicians of India, Sanskrit kidung wargasari vocalists & suling flute players of Sumatra and Bali, traditional and contemporary popular bands in Senegal, Gnawan musicians in Morocco, salsa and calypso bands on several Caribbean islands, as well as son groups in Cuba. Her love of devotional music led her to explore Yoruban Folklore, as well as temple chants in Burma and Indonesia. Colette has performed with such luminaries as Kenny Barron at India's Jazz Yatra Festival (in New Delhi and Bombay in '86), Hubert Laws at Opus 40 (in Saugerties, N.Y. '93), Richard Bona at the St. Louis Festival (in Senegal '95) and Youssou N'Dour (at Thiossane in Dakar, Senegal '95). In 1998, she recorded on Richard Bona's cd "Scenes from my Life". In 2002 and 2004, Colette performed with Nestor Torres in New York City in "CD101.9" sponsored concerts. In recent years, she has often been a guest artist with the N.Y. based Cuban Son group "Son De Madre". On several occasions, she has performed with her group at the United Nations for the U.N. Population Fund, as well as for Heifer Project International events. Colette was on the instrumental faculty of the Jazz & Contemporary Music Department at The New School ('99-2002). Since Jan.2005, Colette has been a member of NYC based Radio Soleil's "Charanga Soleil" Orchestra. In spring of 2005, Colette was awarded the "Woodstock Cycle" Composer's grant. Her debut cd "First Cause" was released in 2004. JazzTimes.com listed the CD #2 in its Top Ten Critic's Picks of 2004. Of the recording, Colette writes: "First Cause" is a recording of music that has touched my heart.I have been inspired by many styles of music, which continuously cook inside of me...resulting in my personal expression. The beauty, simplicity and haunting quality of the bamboo flute traditions of India and Indonesia, the rich lyricism and dance inspiring rhythms of Cuban song, the strength and spirit of Yoruban folklore, and the romanticism of Spanish and Arabic music...all speak to me. What I wish to do through music, is to create beauty, to move people to feel, to enjoy, to reflect and to dance".