A passionate advocate for the transformative power of music in our communities, Michelle Wachter brings over fifteen years of experience in higher education and nonprofit arts leadership to her role as Executive Director of the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. Her career is marked by a commitment to fostering inclusive artistic opportunities and equitable access to arts education and arts-based programming. Michelle’s diverse career includes roles in teaching, administration, and leadership, including her tenure as Associate Teaching Professor at Northern Arizona University, where she specialized in group piano and piano pedagogy. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano pedagogy from the University of South Carolina and is an active contributor to the music community through published articles, conference presentations, adjudications, and concert performances.