July 21, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Libor Ondras grew up surrounded by music. Now he is able to share his passion with his students.
While growing up in Czechoslovakia, Ondras’s parents were amateur musicians. Ondras took up the viola at a young age, and quickly decided it was the career path for him to pursue.
His academic journey began studying in the Moscow Conservatory and the Academy of Music Arts in Prague, before eventually coming to the United States. He received his doctoral and master’s degrees from the University of Houston and began to teach.
Ondras is currently the director of orchestras and string specialist at Grand Rapids Community College. He is frequently found playing alongside his students while directing. He is also the director of the Kent Philharmonic Orchestra, a community and college symphony.
“It has been such a gift to participate as a member of the Kent Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Libor Ondras who is an incredible international performer in his own right and inspiring conductor that connects and guides us and makes it an absolute joy to be there.” said Patty O’Haire Mogor, KPO’s executive board president.
Ondras has always been passionate about learning, and is always looking for the next person that he can learn from. Ondras says supporting the growth of his students is just as rewarding as his own accomplishments.
“I don’t believe that education stops with graduation,” Ondras said. “That’s what I teach my children and my students, and that’s what I live by.”
Ondras encourages his students to always ask for advice and assistance. He is proud of the student-focused curriculum at GRCC, and his courses focus on creating a culture of inclusion for all students.
GRCC’s music program is National Association of School Music accredited and is designed to prepare students for successful completion and transfer to the college of their choice.
More information about the music program can be found here.
