About

Aveline Schienke is a Michigan violinist and educator with 15 years of experience in solo, orchestral, chamber, and educational settings. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and is currently pursuing her Master of Music in Violin Performance at Western Michigan University (WMU), where she studies with Dr. Sophie Tang. She is a violinist with the Holland Symphony Orchestra and is dedicated to a career that combines professional performance, music education, and community engagement.

Aveline currently serves on the faculty of the Crescendo Academy of Music in Kalamazoo and The Music Center in Battle Creek, where she teaches students of a variety of ages and experience levels. Through Crescendo Academy, she also serves as the Beginning Strings Teacher for the Vicksburg Strings Program, introducing young students to the fundamentals of string playing and helping them build a strong foundation for continued musical growth. Her teaching experience includes private instruction, group classes, sectional coaching, and ensemble work. She has previously taught with the Jenison Academy of Music, the West Michigan Symphony’s Tune Up Program, and in public schools throughout the area. Aveline strives to help each student develop strong technique, musicality, confidence, and independence while fostering a lasting appreciation for music.

As a performer, Aveline currently serves as Principal Second Violin in the WMU Symphony Orchestra and Principal Violin in her WMU chamber ensemble. During her time at GVSU, she studied with Dr. Letitia Jap and Dr. Yu Xin and performed with both the GVSU Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra. She served as Co-Concertmaster of the Symphony Orchestra and Principal Violinist of the Chamber Orchestra, as well as orchestra librarian for three years. She received an Honorable Mention in the 2025 GVSU Concerto Competition.

Aveline has continued to expand her performance experience through programs including the Decoda Chamber Music Festival, Vilacello String and Piano Festival, and Vivace International Music Festival, where she has studied and performed alongside accomplished musicians from around the world. She also co-founded The Blue Bridge Trio, a piano trio based in Grand Rapids that has performed throughout Michigan in schools, summer camps, retirement communities, and other community settings.

Community engagement remains an important part of Aveline’s musical life. Through the GVSU Community Engagement Music Project, she performed for schools, senior centers, hospitals, and community organizations throughout Grand Rapids and served as President, helping coordinate partnerships, outreach, and programming. She is also the founder and host of Tutti Talks, a podcast exploring the stories and experiences of musicians in the classical music world.

Aveline is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and the American String Teachers Association. Following her graduate studies, she plans to audition for professional orchestras, continue performing chamber music, and establish her own violin studio. Whether performing, teaching, or engaging with her community, Aveline is committed to musical excellence and to helping others discover the creativity, discipline, confidence, and joy that come with studying the violin.