About Joseph
Music has always been fascinating to Joe. He started playing trombone in 4th grade and soon after began a lifelong quest to learn as much about music and its cultural use as possible. He earned undergraduate degrees in jazz composition and film scoring from Berklee College of Music, a master’s degree in jazz composition with a certificate in Music in Education from the New England Conservatory, and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Northern Colorado.
He began a private lessons studio in 2015 teaching all brass instruments as well as music theory and songwriting. In his studio, he likes to focus on the things that he likes to practice in his own playing, such as practicing the kind of music that gets you excited. The following year he started a band program at Bentley University in Massachusetts where he remained their director until moving to Greeley, Colorado in 2021. In addition to teaching as a graduate assistant at the university, he kept an active tutoring studio for AP music theory exam through zoom.
After finishing classes, he moved to Denver and is currently directing bands in the Douglas County School District. Outside of school and teaching, he has performed with The Plain White T’s, The Elovators, The Beantown Swing Orchestra, The Hot Tamales Brass Band, The Downtown Boston Brass, Leo P, Grace Kelly, Wayne Bergeron, and currently performs with The 8-bit Big Band, No Hands Brass Band, Sarma Brass Band, D’Lovelies, and the Gora Gora Orkestar, in addition to freelancing and leading his own projects.
Joseph’s Instructional Approach
As a brass instructor, I focus on building a strong foundation in both technique and musicality from the very first lesson. I tailor my approach to each student’s goals, whether they’re just starting out, preparing for school band, or advancing toward professional performance. We work on breath control, tone production, and articulation, along with reading music and developing ear training skills. My aim is to create a supportive, engaging environment where students feel challenged yet confident, so they can enjoy the process of learning while making steady progress.
Practice Tips
When you practice, break your music into small, manageable sections and focus on one at a time. Start slowly, making sure your tone is clear and your notes are accurate before increasing the tempo. Always use a tuner and metronome—they’re your best tools for building precision and consistency. Remember, five minutes of focused, mindful practice is more valuable than thirty minutes of playing without a plan.
Favorite Tunes
Rock – Pink Floyd
Pop – Queen
Funk – Tower of Power
Jazz – Charles Mingus
Classical – Igor Stravinsky
