Gretchen Sherrell grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska, where she began studying the violin with a violinist/mountain climber. She attended the University of Tulsa, Boston University, and the University of Texas where she earned her Doctorate in Violin Performance. She was a full-time member of the Tulsa Philharmonic and a member of the Tulsa Philharmonic String Quartet. In addition, she has also played with the Tacoma Symphony, the Austin Symphony, and was a member of the Osage Chamber Players. For five years, she was also a participant in the Breckenridge Chamber Music Festival and was a featured soloist with the Breckenridge Chamber Orchestra.
She is currently performing with the Chicago Sinfonietta, the New Philharmonic, the Rockford Symphony, the Northwest Indiana Symphony, Chicago Light Opera Works, Fulcrum Point New Music Project, the Southwest Michigan Symphony, and the Pilgrim Chamber Players.
In addition to performing, Ms. Sherrell is a coach with the Elgin Youth Symphony Chamber Music Institute, has been a guest judge with the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, and teaches privately.