Michelle Djokic , Cello

Musician

Grammy nominated cellist Michelle Djokic enjoys a versatile career as chamber musician, soloist, and orchestral player.  Michelle’s lifelong passion for chamber music and the collaborative process of rehearsing was her inspiration for the launching of Musikiwest in 2017.  Musikiwest harnesses the collaborative power of chamber music to engender empathic awareness, promote conflict resolution, and build peaceable communities. Using scripted “open rehearsals” in a unique and creative format, Musikiwest addresses difficult issues in young people’s lives such as bullying, shaming, and exclusion. The most sought after performing artists of today gather for this meaningful opportunity to share with adolescents through their incredible artistry and generosity of spirit. Hundreds of lives continue to be impacted by this powerful experience.

In 1997 Michelle founded Concordia Chamber Players based in New Hope, PA and remains the artistic director. CCP have produced five exceptional film/recordings during the 2020-2021 season shared to the public free of charge. Since its inception, Concordia has presented remarkably gifted and generous artists with creative programming in the bucolic setting of Bucks County. Concordia is very proud to have commissioned a new chamber work from the sought after, Brooklyn based composer, Paul Wiancko. This new work for clarinet, violin, viola, and cello will be premiered in September, 2021 as part of Concordia ChamberFest. 

Currently Michelle is preparing to launch a multidisciplinary performing arts space in the warehouse district of Sand City, CA. Studio A440 will be the home of countless collaborations and sharing in a vibrant and eclectic community long known for attracting artists. 

Michelle has enjoyed being a member of the New Century Chamber Orchestra in San Francisco since 2010. She is married to squash legend, Mark Talbott who is the founder and director of the squash program at Stanford University. They have two children, one of whom is in medical school at Duke University and the other works alongside his father at Stanford as a squash coach. Music was always part of their lives and Michelle believes it very much contributed to their positive and empathic engagement with the world.