Manassas Symphony Orchestra - About Our Assistant Conductor


	Michelle Rupert is in her fourth year on the podium as assistant conductor of the Symphony. A proud product of Virginia schools, she attended Chantilly High School before receiving a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from James Madison University and a Master of Arts in Conducting degree from George Mason University. She was the first Associate Director of Bands at Herndon High School in Herndon Virginia where she directed the Symphonic Bands and Pep Band. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Ms. Rupert also coached the girls’ freshman basketball team and was the HOPE Club sponsor. Ms. Rupert is very active as an elementary school band director. During her years at Lake Anne Elementary, in Reston, Virginia, she was the only band director in Fairfax County to bring an elementary school to All District Band Festival. She started a mentorship program with South Lakes High School band students and put on an annual community concert bringing more awareness of the importance of music education. As a result, Lake Anne was chosen as a pilot program for starting band students in 4th grade. Currently, she teaches at Dogwood Elementary in Reston.
Before classroom teaching, Ms. Rupert first made her mark as a performer playing the bassoon with such ensembles as the Shenandoah Valley Philharmonic, Roanoke Symphony, Rockbridge Symphony, Riverside Wind Symphony, Capital Wind Symphony and Brevard Music Center Orchestra. She has performed under the direction of Keith Lockhart, director of the Boston Pops, toured in California with the New England Symphonic Ensemble and performed regularly in Carnegie Hall for two years. Ms. Rupert was the guest conductor for the Prince William County Middle School All District Band in 2006 and the PWCS 8th Grade All County Band in 2011. In addition to elementary band, she teaches private lessons and runs an art business from her home in Haymarket.

Michelle Rupert is in her fourth year on the podium as assistant conductor of the Symphony. A proud product of Virginia schools, she attended Chantilly High School before receiving a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from James Madison University and a Master of Arts in Conducting degree from George Mason University. She was the first Associate Director of Bands at Herndon High School in Herndon Virginia where she directed the Symphonic Bands and Pep Band. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Ms. Rupert also coached the girls’ freshman basketball team and was the HOPE Club sponsor.

Ms. Rupert is very active as an elementary school band director. During her years at Lake Anne Elementary, in Reston, Virginia, she was the only band director in Fairfax County to bring an elementary school to All District Band Festival. She started a mentorship program with South Lakes High School band students and put on an annual community concert bringing more awareness of the importance of music education. As a result, Lake Anne was chosen as a pilot program for starting band students in 4th grade. Currently, she teaches at Dogwood Elementary in Reston.

Before classroom teaching, Ms. Rupert first made her mark as a performer playing the bassoon with such ensembles as the Shenandoah Valley Philharmonic, Roanoke Symphony, Rockbridge Symphony, Riverside Wind Symphony, Capital Wind Symphony and Brevard Music Center Orchestra. She has performed under the direction of Keith Lockhart, director of the Boston Pops, toured in California with the New England Symphonic Ensemble and performed regularly in Carnegie Hall for two years.

Ms. Rupert was the guest conductor for the Prince William County Middle School All District Band in 2006 and the PWCS 8th Grade All County Band in 2011. In addition to elementary band, she teaches private lessons and runs an art business from her home in Haymarket.


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