Christel Thielmann

Christel Thielmann is an Assistant Professor of Conducting & Ensembles at the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester) and co-director of the Eastman Collegium. She specializes in Baroque orchestral conducting, viola da gamba, and recorder performance. Her roles include directing the Collegium Baroque Orchestra, Collegium Viol Consort, and early wind ensembles, while overseeing the Baroque Chamber Music program and teaching viola da gamba and recorder.

Education & Training:

• Studies at University of Alberta and York University (Toronto)
• Summer programs at Oberlin Baroque Institute and Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (Switzerland)
• Private coaching with Wieland Kuijken, Patrick O’Brien, and others

Research & Performance: A leading figure in early music revival, Thielmann focuses on historical performance practices and interdisciplinary approaches to music-making. Her work bridges technical mastery, injury prevention, and creative pedagogy, reflected in her upcoming book For the Love of Music.

Awards:

• Recipient of Eastman’s Eisenhart Teaching Award
• Thomas Binkley Collegium Director’s Award

Performance & Recordings: Collaborations include Fretwork, Tafelmusik, and the Boston Early Music Festival. Recordings include Grammy-winning Charpentier’s La Descente d’Orphée aux Enfers and albums for harmonia mundi USA, Erato, and Hyperion.