Born in Chicago and raised in Pittsburgh, Michele Bensen began singing professionally at the age of 16, performing in various Pittsburgh jazz nightclubs, theaters, hotels and restaurants. She studied trumpet for eight years in addition to taking lessons in dance, piano and musical comedy at the renowned Pittsburgh Playhouse. Michele has sung to audiences on the East coast including being the headline act on the Queen Elizabeth II and M/S Westward Cruise Liners. Bensen has been the opening act for Tony Bennett, the Four Freshmen, Lionel Hampton, Diane Schurr and Herbie Mann as well as being the headline act with her own band, "The Bensen Burners." More than 30 million children hear her as the voice of "Sara Bear" on the children's "Sticky Bear" software. Her radio voiceover work includes a national commercial for “A Drug Free America”. Her recording of "At Last" featuring the Pittsburgh based Bensen Burner Band was recorded in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

The Bensen Burner Band consists of Chris Pangikas on piano, Mike Houlis on bass, Steve Trerrel on drums, Mark Strickland on guitar and Robbie Klein on sax and flute.