of Livingston County, Michigan         

Joel Schut is the Music Director of the Livingston Symphony Orchestra and is active as a freelance conductor, educator, and violinist. Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, he began his training on piano and violin and quickly developed a passion for making music.

Previous conducting engagements include a Spotlight Players production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel at Canton Community Theater in September 2007, as well as a teaching internship with Dr. John Blakemore at Grand Rapids Christian High School.

As a violinist, he is currently a member of the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra and the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra. He has previously performed with the Adrian Symphony and served as concertmaster of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony. In 2004, 2005, and 2007 Joel studied at the prestigious Aspen Music Festival and School. During the summer of 2006 he served as concertmaster and counselor with the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp International Youth Symphony Orchestra touring Austria, Germany and France. His primary teachers include Diane McElfish, Kurt Sassmannshaus, Naoko Tanaka, and Yehonatan Berick.

Along with an interest in performing, Joel is also a passionate music educator. He currently runs a chamber music program through the Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts, serves as a violin mentor with the Detroit Civic Orchestra, and is an intern with the Saline Fiddlers. He is an active member of the American String Teachers Association and the National Association for Music Education and has previously served on the faculty of the Starling Kids String Project as part of the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Preparatory Department.

The recipient of numerous awards and scholarships, Joel was awarded the 2007 National Federation of Music Clubs Hazel Morgan/Myrtle Mehan National Music Education Scholarship in 2007 and the National Federation of Music Clubs Aspen Scholarship in 2005. Other awards and scholarships have been awarded through the National Music Performance Fund, St. Cecilia Music Center and the University of Michigan. Joel is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music Degree in Violin Performance and Music Education at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance.