Prelude Wind Ensemble Trumpet Instructor Michael Zens has served the young people of Wisconsin as a music educator since 2004, and has had the chance to teach students at every level from elementary school through university. Ensembles under his direction have been invited to perform at the Wisconsin State Music Conference four times, and have presented world or Wisconsin premieres of new music by composers including Steve Danyew, James Mobberley, Mark J. Connor, and John Mackey.

In addition to his work teaching music in public schools, Mr. Zens has previously served as the Music Director and Conductor of the Lakeshore Symphonic Band in Cedarburg, WI, and the Associate Conductor of the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band. He has also served on the faculty of the Wind and Percussion Institute at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. He studied music education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, with additional work at Northwestern University and the University of Minnesota.

Mr. Zens resides in Hales Corners, WI with his wife, a four-year-old kindergarten teacher, his daughter, who plays violin in MYSO’s String Orchestra South, and his son, who loves trucks.