S O U T H W E S T M I N N E S O T A
O R C H E S T R A
Faculty
Who We Are
Olivia White
Olivia White has been a life-long fan of classical music, beginning her musical training at the age of six. She has studied with violinists such as Stella Anderson at the MacPhail School of Music, Gretchen Wagner, and Matthew Lauritsen. She later fulfilled her B.A. with Dr Bacco Liu. She loves the curiosity that music enables and finds herself busy teaching private lessons, performing with several symphonies, and building new opportunities for music to blossom.
Joel Zabel
Joel Zabel is a violinist currently based out of Winona, Minnesota. Joel started violin at the age of 8, learning from musicians like Wes Myers, Gretchen Wagner, and Cindy Min. He holds a B.A. in Violin Performance from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, where he studied under violinist Bacco Liu. Joel is currently a freelance orchestral musican, playing with many regional symphonies throughout the Midwest. When he’s not performing with orchestras or making chamber music, Joel can be found teaching violin and creating opportunities for others in southern parts of Minnesota, and pioneering experiences such as youth orchestras and music festivals. Joel seeks a life of full circle moments, where he can share and strengthen a passion for music in others, just as his teachers did for him.
Samson Obel
Samson Obel started his music journey at the age of six and has been enjoying classical performance ever since. He has been a life long student of music studying for a degree in cello performance from Peabody Conservatory. He currently gives private lessons as well as performs with the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra and individually at local events. His biggest fans are his wife and twin daughters!