About the Director
Michelle Manzi
Michelle Manzi is the Elementary Music Specialist, Private Voice instructor, and conductor of the Junior Viking Voices at Lakeland Christian School. She is also an adjunct professor of Music at Polk State College in Winter Haven, Florida. In addition, she is the Worship Coordinator at Shepherd’s Community United Methodist Church. Ms. Manzi also maintains a very successful private music studio. Ms. Manzi is a member of American Choral Director’s Association, Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Vocal Association, Florida Elementary Music Educator’s Association, and Music Teacher’s National Association. She is a very active adjudicator and clinician for both Chorus and Piano at the elementary, middle and high school levels throughout the state of Florida. Ms. Manzi received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music Education from The Florida State University and studied conducting and music education under Dr. Rodney Eichenberger, Dr. Andre Thomas, Dr. Kevin Fenton, and Dr. Judy Bowers. Ms. Manzi studied voice with Roy Delp and was a piano student of Dr. James Streem and Dr. Michiko Ishiyama. She was a member of University Singers the elite choir conducted by Dr. Andre Thomas as well as the prestigious Women’s Choir conducted by Dr. Judy Bowers. She is passionate about choral music, music education, and community involvement in learning and singing.
Prior to her time at Lakeland Christian Ms. Manzi was professor of music at Polk State College for 16 years. During that time she was Department Coordinator of the arts, Director of choirs, and Vocal Music Coordinator. Her performing ensembles included Concert Choir, Men’s and Women’s Choirs, and Pop Music Ensembles. She taught music theory and ear training courses, as well as applied voice to music majors. Ms. Manzi won the Endowed Teaching Chair in 2015 and was named as a Community Based Learning Faculty Fellow for 2017-18. She has served as the State Coordinator for the FCSAA Winter Music Symposium which includes over 350 students and Professors from the State College System for their annual conference.
Ms. Manzi has taught various levels of music throughout her 27 year career. She has developed highly acclaimed elementary, middle school, high school, and college choirs. She has also taught music theory, ear training, band, keyboard, and musical theater.
Michelle Manzi
Michelle Manzi is the Elementary Music Specialist, Private Voice instructor, and conductor of the Junior Viking Voices at Lakeland Christian School. She is also an adjunct professor of Music at Polk State College in Winter Haven, Florida. In addition, she is the Worship Coordinator at Shepherd’s Community United Methodist Church. Ms. Manzi also maintains a very successful private music studio. Ms. Manzi is a member of American Choral Director’s Association, Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Vocal Association, Florida Elementary Music Educator’s Association, and Music Teacher’s National Association. She is a very active adjudicator and clinician for both Chorus and Piano at the elementary, middle and high school levels throughout the state of Florida. Ms. Manzi received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music Education from The Florida State University and studied conducting and music education under Dr. Rodney Eichenberger, Dr. Andre Thomas, Dr. Kevin Fenton, and Dr. Judy Bowers. Ms. Manzi studied voice with Roy Delp and was a piano student of Dr. James Streem and Dr. Michiko Ishiyama. She was a member of University Singers the elite choir conducted by Dr. Andre Thomas as well as the prestigious Women’s Choir conducted by Dr. Judy Bowers. She is passionate about choral music, music education, and community involvement in learning and singing.
Prior to her time at Lakeland Christian Ms. Manzi was professor of music at Polk State College for 16 years. During that time she was Department Coordinator of the arts, Director of choirs, and Vocal Music Coordinator. Her performing ensembles included Concert Choir, Men’s and Women’s Choirs, and Pop Music Ensembles. She taught music theory and ear training courses, as well as applied voice to music majors. Ms. Manzi won the Endowed Teaching Chair in 2015 and was named as a Community Based Learning Faculty Fellow for 2017-18. She has served as the State Coordinator for the FCSAA Winter Music Symposium which includes over 350 students and Professors from the State College System for their annual conference.
Ms. Manzi has taught various levels of music throughout her 27 year career. She has developed highly acclaimed elementary, middle school, high school, and college choirs. She has also taught music theory, ear training, band, keyboard, and musical theater.
About the Accompanist
Virginia Zechiel
Virginia began taking piano lessons at the age of 8 and has been involved in music ever since. Her involvement in public school choir, orchestra and band ignited her desire to major in music in college. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin/Madison. She has been teaching piano and voice since 1985 in various forms from classical, to church music and musical theater.
Virginia has been employed by Polk State College since 2001 where she teaches both private piano students and Beginning Piano Classes. She also accompanies private voice and instrumental students for their juries, auditions, and performances. She has been the Music Director for the Polk State Theatre musicals since 2009.
In 2022, she began working as an accompanist in the Music Department at Florida Southern College accompanying both voice and instrumental students for their private lessons and graduate recitals.
In the evenings and weekends you can find her at Theatre Winter Haven where she has been both music director backstage and actor on stage (not at the same time, of course!). She enjoys reading, traveling, and cheering for her Green Bay Packers.
Virginia Zechiel
Virginia began taking piano lessons at the age of 8 and has been involved in music ever since. Her involvement in public school choir, orchestra and band ignited her desire to major in music in college. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin/Madison. She has been teaching piano and voice since 1985 in various forms from classical, to church music and musical theater.
Virginia has been employed by Polk State College since 2001 where she teaches both private piano students and Beginning Piano Classes. She also accompanies private voice and instrumental students for their juries, auditions, and performances. She has been the Music Director for the Polk State Theatre musicals since 2009.
In 2022, she began working as an accompanist in the Music Department at Florida Southern College accompanying both voice and instrumental students for their private lessons and graduate recitals.
In the evenings and weekends you can find her at Theatre Winter Haven where she has been both music director backstage and actor on stage (not at the same time, of course!). She enjoys reading, traveling, and cheering for her Green Bay Packers.