Directors
Mr. Zac Coudret
Zac Coudret is a graduate of Ball State University with a Bachelors of Arts in music education and has been teaching orchestra since earning his degree in 2010. Mr. Coudret has taught orchestra in the Eastern Howard School Corporation, the South Bend Community School Corporation, the Goshen Community Schools and currently teaches in the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. Mr. Coudret’s wife, Christine, and their three wonderful children inspire him every day to teach and share music with his students and the community.
Mr. Coudret has worked with orchestras that have competed in the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) competitions, performed at the Indiana Music Education Association (IMEA) state conference and the National Orchestra Festival that is part of the American String Teachers’ Association (ASTA) National Conference. Mr. Coudret is a board member of Ensemble Concept/21; a non-profit new music ensemble with a focus on encouraging and inspiring young composers.
Outside of the school day, Mr. Coudret leads viola sectionals for the South Bend Youth Symphony Concert Orchestra and enjoys playing the viola in groups such as the Elkhart Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony of the Lakes. He also has previously been in the viola section of the Marion Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kokomo Symphony Orchestra.
MRS. APRIL OPPENHEIM
April Oppenheim is the Assistant Director of Orchestras at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Indiana. Mrs. Oppenheim previously served as the Director of Orchestras at Discovery Middle School in Granger, Indiana. She began her career in Columbus, Indiana where she taught band and orchestra at Columbus North High School, Northside Middle School and Frances Smith Elementary School. After one year in Columbus, Mrs. Oppenheim moved to Concord Community Schools in Elkhart, Indiana where she vertically taught high school orchestra, concert and marching band as well as middle school orchestra and band. She first earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Butler University and later earned her K-12 Building Administrative license and Educational Specialist Degree from Purdue University.
Highly active as a conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, Mrs. Oppenheim’s ensembles have consistently earned recognition and honors. Mrs. Oppenheim frequently conducts all-state, honor, and regional orchestras throughout the United States and was named Teacher of the Year by numerous organizations during her 30 years in education.
As a leader in the field of music education, Mrs. Oppenheim regularly leads professional development sessions for music departments throughout the United States. She is often sought out as a music education curriculum specialist.
Mrs. Oppenheim enjoys spending time with her husband, Randy, and son, Grant. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and any activity that includes mountains or the beach.