Michelle Kaebisch brings more than a decade of expertise as a public school music educator and professional musician to her position as the MSO's Director of Education and Community Engagement. She holds a BM in Instrumental Music Education from the UW-Madison, taught high school orchestra in the Stoughton School District from 1995 to 2006, and has played the violin in the MSO since 1993.

Ms. Kaebisch is a member of the League of American Orchestra's (LAO's) National Education and Community Engagement Committee, where she serves alongside her peers from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, National Symphony, Kennedy Center, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, PIttsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Among Ms. Kaebisch's other notable achievements are recognition in the Who's Who of American Teachers (1998, 2002, 2004 and 2006), the National Honor Roll's 2005-06 edition of Outstanding American Teachers, and a nomination for the Disney Hand Teacher of the Year Award for classroom creativity in 2006. The LAO recently published her article "A Tale of Two School Districts" in their Community Engagement Update. The article gives a clear picture of what orchestra advocacy looks like in relation to public school education.

Since joining the MSO's administrative team in 2006, her vision for the Symphony's Education and Community Engagement Programs has significantly elevated these programs, which have received national recognition including the League of American Orchestras / MetLife Award for Excellence in Community Engagement, The National Endowment for the Art's Access to Artistic Excellence Award, and the Johnson & Johnson / Society for the Arts in Healthcare Award.

Ms. Kaebisch continues to mentor education directors who are new to the field and she is a sought-after clinician and conductor for various music festivals. Most recently, she was chosen to conduct the 2011 Badger Conference Honors Orchestra, where she spent a day in rehearsal and performance with some of the best young musicians in south-central Wisconsin. A participating teacher commented: "Thanks so much for a great day with the honors orchestra!!! Great to watch you work and my students think very highly of the experience with you and their colleagues! ...thanks again for all you did to make Tuesday a success!" Finally, as the MSO's "Educator on Call" Ms. Kaebisch provides free opportunities for students of all ages, frequently traveling to schools and music groups to direct master classes, clinics and sectionals; she truly has a heart for the music students of Wisconsin.

If you would like to contact Ms. Kaebisch, please call her at 608.257.3734 or email her at mkaebisch@madisonsymphony.org.