The Teaching Artist
Joe has worked as an Adjunct Professor, as a private instructor, in chamber ensembles, percussion ensembles, orchestras, and led entire teams of student-musicians and Teaching Artists in collective composition. From 8 month olds to college seniors, Joe has welcomed, inspired, and challenged a vast range of students. Teaching music is inherent to the musician experience, and passing the musical tradition along is important. As a life-long student and teacher, Joe views education as a critical and valuable part of our way of life.
Educational Philosophy
People of all ages, colors, and cultures, deserve the opportunity to explore and develop musical skills. Musicians at any stage of growth can learn resilience in the face of failure, and the freedom of experimentation. Intensity, dedication, and fun are major keys to making progress over time. Through the musical practice, students become technically proficient and artistically experienced.
The Teaching Artist Mentality
"A teaching artist is a practicing professional artist with the complementary skills, curiosities and sensibilities of an educator, who can effectively engage a wide range of people in learning experiences in, through, and about the arts." -Eric Booth
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Joe approaches education from an active and engaged artist perspective. Always studying, and participating in new music projects, Joe offers a professional musicians perspective to the classroom environment. is It is both a pleasure and my duty to pass on the musical tradition that was passed on to me by my musical mentors. Musicians are a global community, and when we share knowledge and support each other, we all succeed.
The Citizen Artist
Citizen Artists’ initiatives place both aspects at the forefront: they are artistically excellent and impact driven, employing artistic innovation to create social or civic impact. Joe has worked to create opportunity for thousands of students Coastal Virginia, and impacted over students throughout the United States through his work with El Sistema USA.