About — Michaela Nachtigall

Michaela Nachtigall is a classically trained violinist, violist, arranger, and composer. Originating from the Bay Area, she focused the past decade of her musical journey towards specializing in remote-session work as a professional musician, lending her strings to a myriad of video game remix albums and soundtracks.

Starting her YouTube channel under the moniker mklachu as a fun hobby, she recorded violin covers in a single take from her laptop and uploaded them without a second thought. Several of her Pokémon violin covers were discovered by Braxton Burks, and her first gig as a session musician blossomed in 2012, where she made her debut as a solo violinist on Kanto Symphony. It felt like a dream come true! Her passion for music and video games paved the way for the beginning of her music career.

Michaela has since then performed on various indie video game soundtracks, including Celeste: Farewell, Ambition: A Minuet in Power, Chicory: A Colorful Tale, Ikenfell, and more! Additionally, her lush strings can be heard in Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe Future, Steven Universe (Reunited), and Steven Universe: The Movie.

Michaela is also known for her mastery of the Otamatone, an electronic Japanese toy shaped like a music note that makes cute wah-wah sounds. She was given one for her 21st birthday and began making music videos with it on YouTube in addition to her violin works. And as these videos gained popularity over the years, this opened up her music career in ways she never would have imagined. From performing on stage for an awards show, to having a sponsorship, and even being a featured musician on Nintendo Switch exclusive titles such as Vitamin Connection and Cadence of Hyrule.

Currently, she is learning how to play the cello in hopes of becoming a one-woman string quartet someday, primarily for her own original compositions! Otherwise, as of 2023, several more video game soundtracks that Michaela is involved with are planned to be released later this year!

Here is a timeline of Michaela’s personal accomplishments!

Nominated for Soloist of the Year 2020

January 11th, 2021

Video Game Music Online nominated Michaela for her performances on various video game titles in ‘20, notably Ikenfell and Vitamin Connection!

Hosted a panel at MAGWest 2018

August 2018

Michaela was asked to host a panel (her very first one) at MAGWest, which is a sub-division of the main convention, Music and Gaming Festival (also known as MAGFest), in the West Coast!

Sponsorship with Hamee US

December 2017 to December 2018

Michaela has previously worked in partnership with Hamee US to promote new Otamatone designs such as the Sweets Collection, Unicorn, and KISS special edition duo! In March 2018, Michaela attended the Las Vegas ASD Trade Show to demonstrate the Otamatone to hundreds of attendees!

Performed at The Game Awards 2017

December 7th, 2017

You can hear her performance at 1:47 where she basks in her 10 seconds of fame in this Super Mario World - Otamatone cover spotlight (she also plays during the Destiny 2 highlight, along with the Legend of Zelda theme in the finale!)

Creator on the rise (Youtube trending)

September 11th, 2017

Michaela’s YouTube channel was featured as a Creator on the Rise on YouTube’s Trending Page (now known as the Explore Page), which is a way for YouTube to highlight emerging & up-and-coming creators!

(Fun fact, Michaela wasn’t even aware of this email because she was busy recording. You could say that she was very good at keeping this a secret!)