He continued his studies at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg, where his teachers included Božo Paradžik.
From 2010 to 2019, Popelka was deputy principal double bassist of the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden.
During his orchestral tenure in Dresden, Popelka developed an increased interest in conducting.
[1] His conducting mentors have included Vladimir Kiradjiev, Péter Eötvös, Alan Gilbert, Jaap van Zweden and Johannes Schlaefli.
Popelka became chief conductor and artistic director of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra as of the 2022–2023 season.