Michelle Zarco is a flutist and creative artist based in the NYC area.

She is the founder and artistic director of Orchestra Elena, which debuted in summer 2024 as part of WNYC’s centennial celebration, broadcast live, underneath the Brooklyn Bridge.

Through Musicambia, she teaches incarcerated individuals at Sing Sing Correctional Facility and nationwide, bringing together skills as a flutist, songwriter, pianist, singer and creative facilitator.

In addition to her performance work, she offers consulting services that span booking, strategic career planning, branding, and styling.

She started studying piano as a child with Filipina pianist Rowena Arrieta before shifting her focus to flute. She holds degrees in flute performance from the Hartt School, Northwestern University, and Montclair State University. Alongside her classical background, Michelle has studied Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian music, shaping a diverse and fluid musical identity.