In addition to holding the principal bassoon chair with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Todd Jelen is the principal bassoonist with the Akron and Canton Symphonies in Ohio. He also regularly performs with the Milwaukee Symphony, Wheeling Symphony, and the Cleveland Opera and Ballet Orchestras.
Mr. Jelen received his Bachelors Degree in Music from Cleveland State University where he studied with Cleveland Orchestra members Ronald Phillips and Phillip Austin. He received his Master’s Degree in Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music where his mentor was The Cleveland Orchestra’s principal bassoonist, John Clouser. While studying at CIM, Todd was also a member of the Juniper Woodwind Quintet, which placed second at the Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition and third in the Darius Milhaud Performance Prize Competition.
As a solo performer, Todd has been featured in Villa-Lobos’ Ceranda Des Sete Notas with the Spoleto Festival Orchestra. He has also performed with the Utah Symphony on their 2005 European tour. Todd has participated in the Aspen Music Festival, Pacific Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, Chautauqua Music Festival, and the Orford Arts Centre in Quebec.
