About

Janet Grizzell graduated cum laude from California State University, Fresno where she double majored in violin performance and music education, and completed her teaching credential. Her first position was with the Napa Valley School District where she taught elementary strings, band and classroom music. While in Napa, she was active as principal viola with the Napa Symphony, and played violin and viola in the Vallejo Symphony and Santa Rosa Symphony.

Spending a few years in Southern California, where she performed with many large churches, chamber groups, and recording studios. Mrs. Grizzell also taught elementary and middle school strings in the Palmdale School District for two years. While there, she played in the Antelope Valley Symphony and founded the Palmdale Youth Symphony Orchestra.

For more than thirty five years, Janet taught elementary band and strings, middle school, and high school orchestras in Visalia. She was the director of the College of the Sequoias Orchestra (1993 to 2008) and Visalia Unified School District string programs at Golden West and Redwood High Schools, while chairing many annual string workshops throughout Tulare County. Mrs. Grizzell has served as Tulare/Kings County Music Educators Orchestra Representative, Central Section Orchestra Representative, and President of the California Orchestra Directors Association (CODA). A well respected and adored music teacher, she was selected as California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Orchestra Director of the Year in 2008. 

In addition to her busy teaching career in the central valley, she has been an active violin and viola performer with the Sequoia Symphony Orchestra (formerly Tulare County Symphony), Kaweah String Quartet (founding member), Fresno Philharmonic, and has performed with orchestras accompanying the likes of Smokey Robinson, Andre Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Olivia Newton John, and Natalie Cole. A committed music education advocate in her community, she served for three years as Music Education Chairwoman/Second Vice President with the Tulare County Symphony League. 

Mrs. Grizzell has remained active as an educator and performer while enjoying “retirement” with her family. She is now a private music teacher in Lafayette, Danville, and Walnut Creek and she also serves as an adjudicator and guest conductor of various music festivals and honor groups throughout California and the United States.  Most recently, Janet Grizzell was elected President of the Diablo Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors during their historic 60th Year Diamond Jubilee Anniversary Celebration Season 2022.

Updated: October 20, 2022