Michelle Hatcher

Conductor of Primo Strings and Concertino Strings

Michelle Hatcher, violist and string specialist, is Director of NJYS Primo and Concertino Strings ensembles. She received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees at Manhattan School of Music. While freelancing and teaching in NYC, she found her true passion: sharing her love of music with children. This past year, Hatcher received the The Samuel Antek Award for Music Education from the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Throughout her career, Hatcher has been a builder of string programs. While receiving her Suzuki certification at the School for Strings in NYC, she started the string program at Rutgers Preparatory School.

Having established a successful private studio in Montclair, Hatcher founded Fiddle Fun, an intensive music camp for Suzuki-trained musicians to learn how to fiddle in many styles. Hatcher has also built string programs in the Newark and South Orange/Maplewood school districts. Freelancing with the Amaryllis Ensemble, a group she co-founded with life-long musician friends, she arranges and performs all styles of music. Hatcher has served as Artistic Director of the NJSO CHAMPs, an El Sistema-inspired program in Newark, and is presently Director of the NJIO Outreach Ensemble.