Episode #123 — Gretchen Wyder Zunic: How to Build a Thriving, Student-Centered Orchestra Program

In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, Charles sits down with Gretchen Wyder Zunic, Head Orchestra Director at Upper Arlington High School and a 31-year veteran of music education. Gretchen shares her inspiring journey from her early teaching years in Findlay and Hilliard to building a powerhouse orchestra program in Upper Arlington—now home to six high school orchestras and rapidly growing middle-school ensembles.

Gretchen discusses what it takes to create a student-centered learning environment, how to program for multiple skill levels, and why today’s teachers must adapt to changing student needs, administrative structures, and post-COVID expectations. She dives into her approach to repertoire selection, developing independent musicianship, and her creative “music shopping” project that empowers students to explore and choose meaningful literature.

We also talk about the importance of discipline, responsibility, and community in orchestra classrooms—and why music education cultivates skills that benefit students for life. Gretchen opens up about the differences between middle school and high school teaching, the reality of modern educational pressures, and her nomination for the Manilow Music Teacher Award, which could bring $10,000 in new instruments to her program. 

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If you’re a string teacher, orchestra director, or music educator looking for inspiration and practical ideas, this episode is full of wisdom, laughter, honesty, and heart.

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— BIOGRAPHY —

Gretchen Wyder Zunic is the Head Orchestra Director at Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, now in her 31st year of teaching. She leads six high school orchestras and supports middle school string programs. Gretchen previously taught in Hilliard and Findlay City Schools and holds degrees from Bowling Green State University and The Ohio State University, where she earned the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award.

She is the Past-President of the Ohio String Teachers Association, Co-Chair of the Central Ohio String Festival, an active OMEA Adjudicator, and serves on the boards of the Youth Philharmonic of Central Ohio and the Vivo Music Festival. Her many honors include two Upper Arlington Golden Apple Awards, Distinguished Alumni recognitions from Princeton City Schools and BGSU, and being named the 2020 Ohio Teacher of the Year by OSTA.

Her orchestras frequently perform at nationally adjudicated events and at the OMEA Conference, and she has led student performances across the U.S., Canada, the Bahamas, and China. Gretchen is also a sought-after guest conductor and clinician and performs as a member of the Columbus String Quartet.

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