About

Michael Widjaja is the founding Artistic Director and conductor of the Siouxland Chamber Orchestra. A conductor, musician, and educator from Sioux City, Iowa, Michael is dedicated to bringing professional orchestral music to the Siouxland region and creating meaningful connections between musicians and the communities they serve.

Michael earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from The Hartt School in Hartford, Connecticut, where he developed his passion for collaborative music-making, thoughtful programming, and ensemble leadership. During his undergraduate studies, he founded and led multiple ensembles, including the Hartt Chamber Collective, a collegiate chamber orchestra dedicated to exploring the expressive possibilities of small ensemble performance.

Michael is also an accomplished trumpet player who has performed with nationally recognized ensembles and festivals throughout North America. His experiences include serving as an Orchestral Fellow with the National Music Festival, performing with the National Youth Wind Ensemble in Washington, D.C., and participating in the NAfME All-National Symphony Orchestra, PRISMA Festival & Academy in British Columbia, Credo Music Festival in Chicago, and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.

As a music educator and arts advocate, Michael has served in leadership roles including President of Hartt’s National Association for Music Education Collegiate Chapter and Collegiate Student Co-Chair for the Connecticut Music Educators Association. Through these experiences, he has worked to create opportunities for musicians, strengthen music education, and foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts.