ABOUT

Jasper Zientek, a Michigan native, joined the Jackson Symphony Orchestra in 2018 and the Kalamazoo Symphony in 2021.

Zientek studied with Atar Arad and Steve Wyrczynski at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music as well as with Vicky Chiang at Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute. During his schooling he attended many summer festivals nationally and internationally including National Orchestral Institute (MD,USA) , Casalmaggiore Music Festival (Italy), Summer Academy Leutkirch (Germany), and attended Aspen Summer Music Festival (CO,USA) as a New Horizon Fellow.

In addition to playing with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Zientek also subs with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, and Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

An avid teacher, Zientek teaches group and private classes in the SE Michigan area. In addition to his own private studio, he teaches lessons at the Emerson School in Ann Arbor, MI. Zientek is a regular sectional coach for schools all over the SE Michigan area.

When not playing music or teaching, Zientek enjoys taking care of his 30+ plant collection and exploring new coffee shops on his travels.

As a violist, we hear many viola jokes. Here's one for fun!

A violist in an orchestra was crying and screaming at the violinist sitting next to him. The conductor asked, "What are you so upset about?"

The violist replied "The violinist reached over and turned one of the pegs on my viola and now it's all out of tune!"

The conductor asked "Don't you think you're overreacting?"

The violist replied "I'm not overreacting! He won't tell me which one!"

Don't let this be you. Sign up for lessons today!