Joel Poppen is a native of Charles City, Iowa. He recently retired as Lead Instrumental Music Instructor at Ankeny High School, where his concert, marching, and jazz bands achieved statewide recognition for their quality and programming. Joel earned a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance and Jazz Studies from Coe College, where he studied with Paul Smoker, and received his teaching certification from the University of Northern Iowa.
Joel is a past president of South-Central District of the Iowa Bandmasters Association and the Iowa chapter of the National Association of Jazz Educators. He is an adjudicator and clinician at festivals throughout the state of Iowa and has served as a member of the Iowa Comprehensive Musicianship Project. Joel also maintains a large private brass studio, arranges works for concert and marching bands, and is an active freelance musician, performing with the Des Moines Metro Concert Band, the Des Moines Big Band, and the Turner Center Jazz Orchestra, among other groups