Birch Creek Recognizes Longtime Teachers

Birch Creek recognizes Vicki Jenks, Percussion & Steel Band Faculty, and Jodie DeSalvo, Symphony Piano Faculty, for their 20 years of service to the organization. They join a circle of 22 faculty with more than 20 years of teaching and mentoring Birch Creek’s promising music students.

Vicki Jenks

Jenks has been Director of Percussion with the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras for 34 years, and board member for the American Red Cross, the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Foundation School of Music. The youthful vigor she carries and her ability to connect to students on a personal and mentoring level has long been an asset to Birch Creek.

DeSalvo also feels strongly about her 20 years with Birch Creek. An incredibly accomplished pianist, she has captured national and international attention with her classical and jazz interpretations of the masters of keyboard literature. Upon winning the Artist International Competition in 1988, DeSalvo made her Carnegie Hall debut to critical acclaim with an encore performance two years later at Lincoln Center. Her favorite pastime in Door County is traveling the country roads on her bike, only to appear at night in elegant concert attire performing Brahms in the Dutton Concert Barn.

Jodie DeSalvo

“I have created so much amazing music with some of the dearest friends in my life, and have taught so many awesome students who have made music their life,” Jodie stated. “I can proudly and lovingly say that it has become a second home to me. Birch Creek is at the core of who I am as a musician and as a person. I love it with all my heart.”

Jenks and DeSalvo will perform and educate at Birch Creek this summer. See Jenks perform during Percussion & Steel Band concerts from June 23-25. DeSalvo will perform in the Symphony session July 4, 7-9, and 13-16. For more information visit birchcreek.org.