Marcelina Suchocka
Principal
Biography
Born in Bialystok, Poland, Marcelina Suchocka is the Principal Percussionist for Sarasota Orchestra and the Britt Festival Orchestra. Marcelina enjoys a diverse career spanning orchestral, chamber, new music, and solo playing. She was a fellow at the New World Symphony in Miami Beach and has performed as an extra/substitute percussionist with the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, Florida Orchestra, and the Utah Symphony.
Marcelina has spent summers as a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center, Pacific Music Festival, the Music Academy of the West, National Repertory Orchestra, and Spoleto Festival.
Marcelina has performed as a concerto soloist with the Chicago Symphony performing the Koppel Marimba Concerto. She is a founding member of Excelsis Percussion Quartet and Pathos Trio, and performs locally with ensemblenewSRQ.
When asked about percussion's role in the orchestra, Marcelina says, "Percussion is one of the coolest instruments there is because of the sheer amount of things we get to play and the different colors we add to the orchestra! My favorite instruments to play are cymbals, snare drum, and marimba."
Get to know Marcelina Suchocka
Hometown: Bialystok, Poland
First year with Sarasota Orchestra: 2022
Education: Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance - Manhattan School of Music, Master of Music in Orchestral Performance - Manhattan School of Music
Career Highlights: "My favorite performances to date have been playing Mahler 2 with the National Symphony Orchestra in Kennedy Center under Michael Tilson Thomas. I also enjoyed performing at Tanglewood in a side-by-side performance with the Boston Symphony. Each time I play with an orchestra it is a wonderful learning experience."
Passions and Interests: "I enjoy visual art, hiking, traveling, and being active. I’m currently learning to golf."
