BIO

B.A. from UCSD. Studied with Jean-Charles Francois. Played in Sonor and the La Jolla Civic Orchestra. Post UCSD, Joel was off to New York to receive his M.M. and D.M.A. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. His principal teachers include contemporary percussionists Raymond Des Roches and Richard Horowitz, Principal Timpanist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
Current day job is Professor of Music at Portland State University, where he has served as the head of the percussion department since 1989. In addition, he is Assistant Chairperson of the Music Department and Graduate coordinator. He is entering his 17th year as Co-Founder/Percussionist with the Northwest premiere contemporary new music ensemble "Fear No Music". Joel is Principal Timpanist with the Sinfonia Concertante Orchestra and has been the Principal Timpanist with the Missouri Symphony.