Middleton High School’s Dr. Yopp Heads to Freed-Hardeman University

Dr. Michael Yopp has been playing music since he was in the fifth grade when he was a student at Middleton Elementary School. Nearly 50 years later, Dr. Yopp is still playing music and has been teaching the same for 36 years. At the conclusion of this school year, Dr. Yopp will leave Middleton High School and move to teaching music full time at Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) as an associate professor of music and the director of FHU’s new jazz ensemble.

Yopp was born and raised in Hardeman County. He attended first grade at Grand Junction Elementary School and continued through the Middleton schools. Before graduating from Middleton High School in 1981, Yopp earned the recognition of being the first person from Hardeman County to make the All-State band and be selected as a McDonald all American.

“Being the first gave students a level to achieve that set the bar higher than ever before,” said Dr. Yopp.

Dr. Yopp went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in music education from Memphis State (now the University of Memphis), a Master of Arts in music education from Adams State University, a second master’s in education leadership at Lipscomb, and a Doctor of Music Education from Liberty University.

Music has been a lifelong experience that has taken Dr. Yopp all over the world playing for and with some of the greatest musicians in the world, yet his love and passion are a daily thing that brings him solitude. It is that solitude from music he hoped to share with the students in Hardeman County.

When Dr. Yopp returned to his alma mater, Middleton High School, he not only took over all instrumental classes – concert band, jazz band, percussion, and music appreciation – at Middleton High School, but became the music instructor at Middleton Middle School, Middleton Elementary School, and Grand Junction Elementary School. He also took over the MHS color guard.

“As a person who grew up in Hardeman County, I personally wanted to make a difference in the direction of our education system,” said Dr. Yopp who has seen the music programs at each school grow over the years and student musicians being introduced to new music opportunities.

Dr. Yopp plays all band instruments, with trumpet being the one instrument he has played professionally for decades. While in Hardeman County, Dr. Yopp worked with students musically and tried to build their confidence to succeed.

“I enjoyed working with students to help change their mentality, so they could achieve even more,” said Dr. Yopp who introduced the MHS band to competitions and performance experiences. “Performing in the Tennessee Division One State Marching Championship and at the state basketball tournament in Murfreesboro while growing the program numerically, as well as musically, are fond memories I will always have from my time at MHS.”

Dr. Yopp is proud of how much he has seen the students grow through the music programing he has been able to offer. Although he is looking forward to his new opportunity at FHU, Dr. Yopp is concerned about the students he is leaving behind and the survival of the music programs he worked to build to enhance the educational offerings in the county.

“Since my efforts and credentials will be valued at the university, I will move on to teach, lead, and shape the lives of future university students, as well as future educators and administrators,” said Dr. Yopp. “Spending over three decades at every level in teaching, as well as administrative roles, in some of the best school districts and universities in the nation, my wish is that the community will take pride in the next generation and stop allowing the disadvantage of a struggling educational system to be afforded our children. My hope is leadership will lead in such a way as to pull up Hardeman County education to a higher level.”

Dr. Yopp has started working part-time at FHU and will assume his position full-time on August 1. He will complete his final school year at MHS in May 2023.

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