Michelle Zarco

Flute, songwriting

Michelle Zarco is a flutist and creative artist based in the New York City area. She began her musical training on piano before shifting her focus to flute, and holds degrees in flute performance from the Hartt School, Northwestern University, and Montclair State University. Alongside her classical background, she has studied Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian music, shaping a musical identity that is both rooted and fluid. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Orchestra Elena, an interdisciplinary ensemble whose performances have been broadcast live on WNYC.

In parallel with her performing life, Michelle works as a creative consultant and artist manager, supporting musicians and ensembles with booking strategy, long-term planning, branding, project development, photoshoot styling, digital storytelling, and career visioning.

Drawing on first-hand experience across many facets of the field, she brings a holistic, artist-centered approach to helping others clarify their voice and bring projects into the world.

Michelle’s work is guided by a belief in music as a living, relational practice. In addition to her work as a flutist, she engages music as a collaborator, songwriter, and facilitator, moving fluidly between roles and genres. She is especially drawn to projects that invite reflection, deepen human connection, and open space for transformation through shared creative experience.