ABOUT Joel Alberto Garza

Virtual Session Premiere – Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 7:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Growing up between South Texas and Northern Mexico, Joel Alberto Garza’s creative output reflects that of both Western and Chicano culture. His works and compositions range from orchestral, chamber, and Latin percussion, to theater and spoken word. He has been featured as a soloist with groups such the Salem Pops Orchestra, the University of South Florida Percussion Ensemble, as well as collaborated with and performed alongside artists such as QUITAPENAS and Shara Nova (of My Brightest Diamond).

Most recently, Joel began releasing his set of 13 percussion arrangements “Platero y yo for speaking percussionist,” which he presented selections from on the 2020 and 2021 PASIC New Music/Research showcases.

Joel is the co-founder and former director of the new music collective Cincinnati New Music, as well as the Latin Ensemble CinciSon. Currently based in Oregon, Joel is the Assistant Professor of Percussion at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR, where he directs the Wolfpack Percussion Studio, the WOU Drumline and Band, as well as the WOU Mariachi Ensemble, Mariachi Los Lobos del Poniente.

Joel received 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 BM from Sam Houston State University.