Michael Stratechuk

Michael Stratechuk began his musical training at an early age studying with his father, a professional violinist, composer, conductor and graduate of the Vienna Conservatory of Music. Mr. Stratechuk went on to study both violin performance and conducting and he is currently finishing a DMA in conducting from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago.

As Conductor and Artistic Director of the Metropolitan Orchestra of New Jersey since 2003, Maestro Stratechuk has led the ensemble to ever more challenging and successful seasons. He is also the conductor for the Society of Musical Arts Orchestra and guest conducts frequently, most recently for the Livingston Symphony. He serves on the music faculty of Hunter College Campus Schools, City University of New York.

Mr. Stratechuk has an extensive national and international performance resume including performances with the New York Pops, New York Opera Ensemble, Brooklyn Philharmonic, New Philharmonic of New Jersey and the Bermuda Symphony. He has performed or conducted on recent tours of Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Some of his other interests include electronic music composition, performing on his 5 string electric violin and baseball.

Michael Avagliano

Michael Avagliano has performed with the New Jersey Symphony, the Singapore Symphony, and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. In recent seasons he has appeared as soloist with the Metropolitan Orchestra of NJ, the Plainfield Symphony and the NJ Youth Symphony, as well as in solo recital engagements in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Also an active freelance musician, Mr. Avagliano frequently performs with several orchestras in the region, including the Harrisburg Symphony, the Westfield Symphony, and the Princeton Symphony.

As a member of the critically acclaimed Madison String Quartet, Mr. Avagliano has performed on chamber series across the United States. Highlights of recent seasons include appearances at the Kenai Peninsula Festival in Alaska, the Friends of Music in Westchester, the Rhinebeck Chamber Series, and the Pennsylvania Consort. He currently serves as concertmaster for the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey and the Metropolitan Orchestra of NJ. Equally at home as a conductor, Mr. Avagliano is also Music Director of the Central Jersey Symphony and the Manalapan Symphony.