Mrs. Michelle Wenzel (Zelinski)

• B. M. in Violin Performance from Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Magna Cum Laude

• M. M. in Violin with Suzuki Emphasis from UWSP

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 of the Catholic University of America 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 a few ASC students. After completing her Masters degree at UWSP with Steve Bjella and Pat D’Ercole, Michelle joins the ASC faculty as a violinist. Highlights of her Masters’ studies include completing Suzuki Long Term Violin training with Pat D’Ercole while being able to use these skills immediately in her studio and performing the Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1 in April’s infamous snow storm! She continues to enjoy performing with the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra. Teaching has brought her both her biggest challenges and her greatest rewards and she looks forward to seeing her students each week!