Joël Belgique has been principal of the Oregon Symphony’s viola section since 1997. Raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, by French parents, Joël studied viola with Mikhail Boguslavsky before attending the Interlochen Arts Academy. His viola studies went on to include undergraduate work at the Eastman School of Music and the Cleveland Institute of Music with renowned viola pedagogue Heidi Castleman.

Joël’s other musical posts have included the Spoleto Festival in Italy, the Festival of the Lakes in Minnesota, the CrossSound Festival in Alaska, the Grand Teton Music Festival in Wyoming and Interlochen’s chamber music camp for adults in Michigan.

In Portland, , Joël is a member of several chamber music ensembles with his colleagues in the Symphony including fEARnoMUSIC, the Four Violas and the Oregon Symphony String Quartet.

His recordings on the North Pacific Music label include Jack Gabel's Hellenic Triptych for solo viola and electronics and Tomas Svoboda's Trio Chorales for violin, viola and piano with Symphony Concertmaster Amy Schwartz Moretti and Svoboda.

Joël is currently working on his first recital recording, due to be released by the summer of 2006, which will include sonatas by Jacob Avshalomov, Rebecca Clarke and Marion Bauer, with pianist Cary Lewis, as well as the premiere recording of Tomas Svoboda’s sonata, with Svoboda on piano.

In addition, Joël teaches many of the state’s young violists including students at Portland State University.