Biography
Clarinetist Michele Verheul has played with the Hamilton Philharmonic since 1999. Earning her Masters of Music through the Eastman School of Music, Michele studied with clarinetists Stanley Hasty and Michael Webster. Her interest in contemporary clarinet performance brought her to the Netherlands, where she studied with Dutch contemporary bass clarinetist, Harry Sparnaay. In addition to her work with the HPO, Michele played Principal Clarinet with Orchestra London, Canada and was a clarinet instructor at the University of Western Ontario from 2003-2008. As an active freelancer in Toronto, she has performed in various orchestras and ensembles including the Toronto Symphony, Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, National Ballet Orchestra, Esprit Orchestra and others. As a soloist on clarinet and bass clarinet, Michele has commissioned works through the Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts.
Michele lives in Toronto with her husband , clarinetist Martin Van de ven, and her dog Miki.