Joan Zelickman, a native of San Diego, received a BFA degree from the State University of New York at Purchase where she studied violin with Charles and Heidi Castleman. Her other teachers include Mary Gerard, János Négyesy and Joyce Robbins.
Joan went on to hold positions in the Calgary Philharmonic, the Vera Cruz Symphony Orchestra, the Oregon Symphony and the Mexico City Philharmonic where she first met Robert Zelickman who played in the clarinet section. They were married the following year, and relocated to San Diego in 1982. Joan began performing with the San Diego Symphony and the San Diego Opera, later winning positions with both. She was also a member of the San Diego Chamber Orchestra for 20 years.
Joan and Robert have a daughter, Diane, who is currently a member of the violin section of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.