Our Writers
Opus is proud to have a talented group of writers, made up of Opus instructors and students alike, who contribute to the Opus blog. They have different backgrounds, experiences, and expertise that offers them unique perspectives and insights into all areas of music.
Trinity Grewell
Writer
Trixie graduated high school from Parnassus Preparatory School in 2020, where she received a classical education and presented her thesis on the importance of visibility and inclusivity for those with mental illness. She has played the viola since 5th grade, with both private lessons and ensemble practice in the school orchestra and her church’s Bluegrass Band. She also picked up the ukulele in 8th grade and loves to sing.
In addition to working at Caribou Coffee and as Opus Music Academy Event Coordinator, Trixie is passionate about art; after many years of musical endeavors, she found she also likes to draw and paint in her free time at home while listening to classical music.
Animals hold a very special place in Trixie’s life. She has a dog and cat at her mom’s house, Kaia and Grace, as well as two cats who live in her apartment, Oliver and Sheeba. She loves to read and creatively write while her cats snooze on her desk or go camping and hiking with her dog.
Stephen Orejudos
Writer
Stephen Orejudos is an active teacher and avid proponent of music education in the public schools. He has over 20 years of experience as a private instructor, brass sectional coach, and master class clinician. Mr. Orejudos holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Trumpet Performance from the Eastman School of Music, and a Master of Music Degree in Trumpet Performance from Wichita State University. His teachers have included Judith Saxton, Kevin Hartman, Mathew Lee, Larry Knopp, Charles Geyer and Barbara Butler.
Laurent Kuehnl
Writer
A Minnesota native, Laurent received is Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota and his Master of Music from the Johns Hopkins University. Most recently, he completed the coursework for his Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Minnesota, where he studied vocal performance and pedagogy. There he was a graduate assistant and taught private voice lessons and group voice.
Aside from music, Laurent is an eclectic reader who enjoys sci fi, fantasy, classic, and contemporary literature. He is a bit of a Trekkie and must admit to binge watching a few different Star Trek series! Laurent also likes games, running, weight lifting, and yoga. Finally, he has quite a passion for cooking and discovering new and delicious recipes.
Thomas Plante
Writer
Thomas has been been playing the viola since he was 11 years old. For many years, he was a student of Stella Anderson at the MacPhail Center for Music. He went on to earn his Associate of Arts from North Hennepin Community College and his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Minnesota.
Thomas has ample performance experience, such as performing in pit orchestras for local theater productions and regularly playing viola for programs at churches around the Twin Cities. Thomas is also proud to be a member of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra since 2001.
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