Artist. Composer. Educator.
Donkey Poem Enthusiast.
Joel Alberto Garza’s creative work and compositions range from orchestral and chamber percussion, to theater and poetry/spoken word. He has performed nationwide at events including PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention), SICPP (Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice), TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association), and OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association).
Recently, he completed a week-long residency with the University of South Florida Percussion Studio, recording works by Mark Applebaum as well as performing with the Contemporary Art Music Project Ensemble (CAMP) in Tampa Bay, Florida. Additionally, Joel performed at the 2021 PASIC New Music/Research concert as well as presented his collaborative composition “Architectural Improvisation #1 for Non-Architects and Non-Instrumentalists” at the 2020 ACSA (Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture) Architecture Conference. Joel was a member of the DCI (Drum Corps International) and WGI (Winter Guard International) ensembles Cascades, Troopers, and IPT (Imperial Percussion Theater)/Monarch Independent, and is the co-founder and director of the Cincinnati-based New Music Organization “Cincinnati New Music,” as well as the Cincinnati-based Latin Group “CinciSon.” Currently based in Oregon, Joel is the Assistant Professor of Percussion at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR, where he runs the WOU/Wolfpack Percussion Studio as well as the WOU Drumline and Band.
Joel has premiered as well as helped commission works by composers such as David Farrell, Joseph Pignato, Monica Pierce, Alex Dowling, and James Boznos. Also an avid drum set player, Joel has played alongside performers such as French Musician Sylvain Archer and Broadway singer Betsy Wolfe.
Joel received both his Master’s and Doctorate degrees from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, with degree specializations in Percussion Performance and Composition, as well as a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Sam Houston State University. His former teachers include James Culley, Rusty Burge, Allen Otte, Michael Fiday, John Lane, Matt Holm, Adam Groh, and Chase Bronstein.
Joel is a proud artist and endorser of Rustic Percussion.