Kelby Strobel

Based out of Minneapolis, MN, Kelby Strobel performs as an orchestra, chamber, and solo musician across the Midwest.  She began subbing with the South Dakota Symphony in the spring of 2019 and became an official member of the second violin section in 2020.  Strobel also performs with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra.  Previously, Strobel served as the Principal Second Violin of the Mississippi Valley Orchestra and a prominent member of the Mankato Symphony Orchestra’s first violin section.  She currently performs on a 2010 David Folland violin, made in Northfield, MN, and a Eugene Sartory bow, c. 1910.

Strobel started taking violin lessons at the age of seven and in high school, studied with well-known pedagogue and Minnesota Orchestra violinist Aaron Janse.  In 2015, she received a bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance from the University of Minnesota, where she studied with Mark Bjork and Sally O-Reilly.  Since graduating, Strobel continues her studies with Cecilia Belcher, the Acting Associate Principal 2nd of the Minnesota Orchestra.

Strobel is also a very active teacher in the Twin Cities area.  Her students perform with the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony, Minnesota Youth Symphony, and Mankato Area Youth Symphony orchestras, and many have gone on to pursue violin and music degrees at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Bethel University, The College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, Concordia College, and St. Olaf College.