Meet the Orchestra Director

Mrs. Michelle Suter 
 

The Director of Orchestras at the Willmar Senior High is Mrs. Michelle (Stivers) Suter.  Originally from Mounds View, Minnesota, Mrs. Suter graduated from Irondale High School in the Mounds View School District.  During her high school years, she was a member of the Mounds View–Irondale Orchestra, the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, and the Minnesota All-State Orchestra.  She also maintained a private violin studio. 

Upon graduating from high school, Mrs. Suter received a B.A. in Music Education from St. Olaf College.  While at St. Olaf, Mrs. Suter studied violin with Charles Gray, Hardanger Fiddle with Dr. Andrea Een, and conducting with Steven Amundson.  She also performed with the St. Olaf Orchestra, St. Olaf Chamber Orchestra, St. Olaf Chapel Choir, and the St. Olaf Cantorei. 

After earning her degree at St. Olaf, Mrs. Suter accepted her first teaching position in Willmar and has been teaching at the Willmar Middle School and Willmar Senior High School since the fall of 1994. 

Currently, Mrs. Suter performs with the Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra and has previously served as concertmaster and a board member for the organization.  In addition, she has been a member of the Prairie Lakes String Quartet, performing for weddings and other events in the community such as recitals for Habitat for Humanity. 

Mrs. Suter is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Minnesota Music Educators Association, and the Minnesota String and Orchestra Teachers Association.