Joe Himmelberg is a second-year master’s student pursuing a degree in saxophone performance and literature. He is a regular performer of genres spanning from contemporary-classical to rock and pop. Striving to have an impact on his community, Joe is an active participant in local music scenes, and has previously played in festivals such as the Rochester International Jazz Festival, and various other philanthropic events in New York and Georgia. As an advocate for new music, Joe has commissioned numerous composers and has given world and regional premiers of a number of works during his time in higher education. In addition to his prolific performing career, he is an avid teacher of both saxophone and music theory.
Joe is a recent honors graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in saxophone performance and music theory. Joe also holds a degree from Eastman Community Music School where he was an honors graduate and the class’s graduation speaker. His instructors of classical and jazz saxophone include David Yusko, Mike Edwards, Bill Tiberio, Nicki Roman, Zach Stern, Connie Frigo, Brandon Quarles, and Chien-Kwan Lin. Joe currently holds teaching positions at both the University of Rochester and the Eastman Community Music School