Staff

Steven & Nicola  have been married for 35 years and have two grown children (Rachel-21 & David-27).  OAM has been a family affair with Steven and Nicola being on staff since 2005 and their children traveling with them on three tours.  Together, they have traveled internationally more than 15 times, performing in Europe, Asia, Mexico, and Canada

Steven Zielke is the Choir Director and Co-Tour Director of the Oregon Ambassadors of Music.  He is the Director of Choral Studies and the Reser Professor of Music at Oregon State University. He earned a bachelors degree in music education from Friends University and a masters and Ph.D. from Florida State University where he studied with Andre Thomas and Rodney Eichenberger.  At Oregon State University he conducts the OSU Chamber Choir, the OSU Meistersingers, and the Vocal Ens., as well as teaching courses in conducting.  His choirs have appeared in three continents with tours in China and Europe and he has guest conducting at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in Chengdu, China, and at Tuebingen University in Germany.  Zielke is current president of the Northwest Region of the American Choral Directors Association and is serving in his fifth year as the Voice of the Oregon State University Marching Band.  OSU has recognized his contributions with the Beaver Champion Award,  in recognition of excellence, extra effort beyond that requested, and performance of the highest quality to the ideals of Oregon State University.

Nicola Zielke is the OAM Director of Staff Services and the choir staff rehearsal accompanist.  She is also an Instructor of Voice at Oregon State University, where she serves as the collaborative pianist for the OSU Chamber Choir, teaches German Diction, and maintains a voice studio. She completed her B.Mus. in piano performance at Friends University (Wichita, Kansas) and also holds a M.Mus. in piano performance from Wichita State University.

Todd and Trina Zimbelman have been married for 30 years and have two daughters (McKenzie-26 and Elizabeth-23). Their daughters have been on the tour as performers and Todd and Trina have been on the tour as staff for several years.

Todd Zimbelman is the Band Director and Co-Tour Director for the Oregon Ambassadors of Music. He is also the Director of Bands and Co-Director of the Symphony Orchestra at West Salem High School in the Salem-Keizer School District. Mr. Zimbelman has held Director of Bands and Associate Director of Bands positions at the high school and college levels in Oregon and Texas. He holds bachelor and master of music degrees from the University of Oregon. Mr. Zimbelman has been recognized for the School Band and Orchestra magazine’s Top 50 directors that make a difference, the Claes Nobel’s Educator of Distinction, and the Oregon Symphony’s Music Educator of the Year. Mr. Zimbelman is recognized nationally for his achievements in wind ensemble, marching band, and is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association. His arrangements, compositions, and winds technique book are performed by high school and middle school ensembles internationally. 

Trina Zimbelman is the Camp Director and Co-Tour Director for Oregon Ambassadors of Music. She is also the Medical Services Compliance Manager at Eye Care Physicians and Surgeons in Salem. Trina is a Certified Ophthalmic Technician and has been active in this field for 30 years. Her leadership and medical backgrounds provide a depth of relevant expertise for her role as Director of Student Services and Co-Tour Director of OAM.

Together, working with the Zielke's, we are committed to continuing to provide outstanding and safe tours to Europe with outstanding Oregon High School music students.