Education

• B. M. in Violin Performance, Magna Cum Laude - Benjamin T. Rome School of Music
• M. M. in Violin with Suzuki Emphasis from UW-Stevens Point

Personal Story

Michelle Zelinski studied Suzuki violin with Celestine Fitzgerald of the Barcel Suzuki String Academy in Wauwatosa, WI for 14 years.  During that time, she was a frequent attendee of the American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, where she studied with Master Teachers such as Terry Durbin, Carol Dallinger, Mark Bjork and Steve Bjella. Michelle graduated Magna Cum Laude with a violin performance degree from the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music in Washington D. C. Her primary teachers were Jody Gatwood and Emil Chudnovsky. She performed in the Symphony Orchestra under the baton of David Searle. She has completed Suzuki Teacher Training for books 1-5 with Mark Mutter, Nancy Lokken and Beth Titterington during her summers at ASI.

As a graduate student at UWSP, Michelle began teaching ASC students as a part of her long-term Suzuki Teacher Training. After completing her Masters degree at UWSP with Steve Bjella and Pat D'Ercole, Michelle now joins the ASC faculty as a violinist. She continues to enjoy performing as a member of the CWSO. Teaching has brought her both her biggest challenges and her greatest rewards, and she looks forward to seeing her students each week!