Ariel began her association with the Ypsilanti Community Choir by serving as guest conductor at our Spring 2006 concert, and became our director in the fall of that year.

Ariel is an active conductor in the area. 2005-2006 marked her first season as the music director of the Celebration Youth Orchestra, the Livonia Youth Choir, and assistant conductor of the Plymouth Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Canton. Ariel is currently in her first season as a conductor with the Detroit Civic Youth Ensembles, the youth orchestra program supported by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. In addition she serves as director of choirs at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Ypsilanti.

Ariel earned her Master's Degree in Band and Choral Conducting from the University of Michigan. During her tenure at Michigan she guest conducted university ensembles, including the Michigan Marching Band, Symphony Band, and was music director of the Residential College Singers.

A Colorado native, Ariel received her Bachelor's of Music in flute performance from the University of Denver. While there, she served as guest conductor of the Lamont Wind Ensemble and Lamont Women's Chorus. In May of 2002 Ariel was awarded the Denver Young Artists' conducting competition and conducted the ensemble in their final Gala performance of that year.