Michelle Djokic

Cello

Michelle Djokic has been the artistic director and inspiration for Concordia Chamber Players, as well as its principal cellist, since its inception in 1997. She is the associate principal cellist for the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in the 2005-2006 season.

Ms. Djokic made her debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the age of thirteen. Her many prizes in competitions include the Prince Bernard Award for Excellence in the 1989 Scheveningen International Cello Competition, the coveted People’s Prize in the 1980 Pablo Casals International Cello Competition in Budapest, Hungary, first prize in the Chicago Civic Orchestra Competition, as well as capturing first prize in the young artists competitions of the New Jersey Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Juilliard School Concerto Competition and the Aspen Festival Concerto Competition. 

In 1985 she made her debut in the prestigious Carnegie Hall as soloist with the New Jersey Symphony. She has appeared as soloist with orchestras throughout the United States, Canada and Europe to great critical acclaim. Active as a solo and chamber musician, Ms. Djokic has been invited to perform with Emanuel Ax, Menahem Pressler and Lynn Harrel as well as the Boston Chamber Players, American Chamber Players and the Northern Country Chamber Players. Festival appearances include the Aspen Music Festival, Banff Music Festival, Newport Music Festival, Bowdoin College Music Festival, Northern Country Chamber Players, Kingston Chamber Music and the Mozart Festival. Ms. Djokic is the Founding Artistic Director of the Concordia Chamber Players based in historic New Hope, PA, comprised of some of the greatest chamber musicians of her generation. 

From 1984 to 1990 Ms. Djokic served on the distinguished roster of Affiliate Artist, Inc. She has served as principal cellist of the Denver Symphony, The Aspen Festival Orchestra, The New York Virtuosi, The Rhode Island Philharmonic, The McGill Chamber Orchestra, The Jupiter Symphony, The Connecticut Orchestra at Summer Music and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. A student of Leonard Rose and Channing Robbins, Ms. Djokic received her Bachelor of Music Degree and her Masters Degree at the age of twenty from the Juilliard School of Music. Her instrument is a Giovanni Francisco Pressenda made in Turin, Italy, circa 1830.