Joe Oprea is the Orchestra Director for Lowell Middle school in Lowell, MI. Under his leadership, the orchestras have earned top ratings at Michigan school band and orchestra festivals. From 2015-2018, Joe directed the Encore strings as part of the Lake Michigan Youth Orchestra program. He is also the bass instructor at Grand Rapids Community College. Joe has an extensive background in Music Education, having received a BMEin Music Education and String Pedagogy from Central Michigan University (‘02) and a MM in Bass Performance from Western Michigan University (‘09). He has been a clinician for many various orchestras across the state as well as an adjudicator for Solo & Ensemble and Band & Orchestra Festivals. Joe performs regularly with many area musicians including the Truth in Jazz Orchestra, the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, the West Michigan symphony, as well as many area jazz musicians. Joe shares his love of music with his wife, Laura and three children, Isaac, Violet & Iris.