Michelle Pugliese began studying flute twelve years ago. Upon entering high school Michelle decided she wanted to become a doubler in the pit orchestras on Broadway and has since picked up clarinet and saxophone. Currently Michelle runs a private music studio teaching woodwinds to students grades 4-12, and will be entering her seventh semester at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Last summer Michelle spent four weeks in Europe performing on a concert tour with the national symphonic band Sound of America. She had the opportunity to play in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Luxembourg. About a year ago Michelle started her own jazz quartet called Metro Forte. The group features works of Claude Bolling such as Suite No. 1 and No. 2 for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio. More recently Michelle started a 12 piece Latin big band called Latin Fire. This group features the works of Mike Mower and various Latin jazz standards in the styles of salsa, mambo, merengue, bossa nova, cha cha, bachata, and danzon.