About Mr. Opina

Greetings! My name is Richard Opina, and this is my sixth year teaching at Bell Mountain Middle School. I began my career in 2005 at Bell Middle School in San Diego, teaching band and orchestra. I was also the music director for the spring musicals. That was a lot of fun!  Prior to Bell Mountain, I taught elementary music from 2016 to 2019 in Menifee. 

My passion for and commitment to music education has led to several awards and distinctions. In 2008 I was named "Teacher of the Year" at Bell Middle School. That same year I was the founding manager of the middle school honor orchestra, a position I held for four years. In 2010 I was named “Outstanding String Educator” by the California Music Educator’s Association (CMEA, Southern Section). In 2015 I was given the privilege to conduct the Elementary Honor Band for the San Diego Unified School District. In 2019 I was given the “Innovation” Award by Southshore Elementary here in Menifee.  In 2023 I was named site teacher of the year here at Bell Mountain Middle School.

Until 2018 I was involved in Salvation Army music. I conducted British-style brass bands, choirs, played piano, and led youth music groups. I programmed and taught at summer music schools and day camps. I even marched in the Rose Parade with the Salvation Army band for 15 years.  From 2012 to 2017 I conducted the Western Territorial Youth Band, a group of advanced high school and college players. This was a traveling group, doing events and performances in the western United States. We performed in Hawaii, Alaska, Seattle, New Mexico, and California.

In the summer of 2023, I completed my master’s degree at San Jose State University, with an emphasis on beginning band instruction. I play bass guitar in the praise band at Cornerstone church, and I play trumpet with the Temecula Valley Winds Community Band.  

Outside of music, I enjoy going to the beach, working out, trying new cooking recipes, and participating in family activities. I plan to participate in a Tough Mudder Race in the future. I enjoy spending time with my wife, Ruina, three kids - Cadence, Christian, and David, and our Australian shepherd, Roxy. We love vacationing in Hawaii. The food there is phenomenal, and the waters are warm. My wife is from Hawaii, so we usually spend Thanksgiving or Christmas there. My daughter and youngest son are competitive dancers, my boys are in karate, and my older son plays basketball. I’m a big superhero and science fiction fan. Finally, my favorite sports teams are the Los Angeles Lakers, USC Trojan Football,  San Diego Padres, and the (still should be in San Diego) Chargers.