Lou Barrella has been a dedicated Music Educator for over 50 years, specializing in Music and Opera Appreciation in schools and cultural organizations. He has given workshops and organized student trips for the Metropolitan Opera Education Department for 40 years. He has been a Guest Lecturer at Colleges, Museums and Cultural Institutions throughout the Metropolitan area, making over 750 presentations since 1993.

He is a Board Member of the Enrico Caruso Museum, a regular presenter at the Mario Lanza luncheons, a co-host at the Columbus Citizens’ Foundation Opera Nights; organizes opera luncheons and dinners at Casa Belvedere in Staten Island, conducts an opera class at the Garibaldi Meucci Museum in Staten Island and lectures with Opera at Florham's outreach program.