I am Joseph J. Harrison, a multifaceted music educator, composer, performer, and thinker. With hundreds of students and thousands of lessons across multiple instruments, I emphasize not only technical skills but also curiosity and aesthetic awareness in my teaching. My work spans musical direction, performance, and experimental music, often inspired by greats like John Cage and Steve Reich. I’m passionate about fostering creative and empowering music education, while engaging audiences through immersive and innovative performances.…

Joseph J. Harrison

I am Joseph J. Harrison, a multifaceted music educator, composer, performer, and thinker. With hundreds of students and thousands of lessons across multiple instruments, I emphasize not only technical skills but also curiosity and aesthetic awareness in my teaching. My work spans musical direction, performance, and experimental music, often inspired by greats like John Cage and Steve Reich. I’m passionate about fostering creative and empowering music education, while engaging audiences through immersive and innovative performances.…

Available to hire

I am Joseph J. Harrison, a multifaceted music educator, composer, performer, and thinker. With hundreds of students and thousands of lessons across multiple instruments, I emphasize not only technical skills but also curiosity and aesthetic awareness in my teaching.

My work spans musical direction, performance, and experimental music, often inspired by greats like John Cage and Steve Reich. I’m passionate about fostering creative and empowering music education, while engaging audiences through immersive and innovative performances.

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Skills

Experience Level

Composition
Expert
Logic Pro
Expert
Mix
Expert
Soundtrack
Expert
Beats
Expert
Instrumental
Expert
Music Theory
Expert
Jingle
Expert
Pro Tools
Expert
Music Video
Intermediate
Master
Intermediate
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Work Experience

Band Director and Private Instructor at Carmel Music Academy
December 31, 2023 - July 20, 2025
Taught hundreds of students and delivered thousands of lessons across a range of instruments. Served as Band Director, involved in curriculum development, created workshop series to deepen musical engagement, fostered new ensembles, planned and oversaw concerts and recitals, and mentored incoming instructors to shape the studio’s pedagogical culture.
Musical Director at NU80
January 1, 2017 - Present
Oversee all musical arrangements, live performances, and creative direction for NU80, a high-energy 1980s revue and multimedia production. Responsibilities include ensemble coordination, production design, and ensuring musical excellence to offer an immersive theatrical concert experience.
Co-Producer & Contributor at Real Poppycock Podcast
January 1, 2024 - Present
Co-producer of a film-focused podcast exploring cinema through sound, storytelling, and cultural critique. Responsibilities include editorial direction, film analysis, and expertise in music and audio in cinema, presenting a unique and often irreverent take on cinematic conventions.
Teaching Artist and Program Advisor at Inspire Music Collective
January 1, 2023 - Present
Teach, design programs, and advise initiatives that integrate music, media, and technology for underserved youth. Emphasize creativity, empowerment, and media literacy in youth-centered educational models within a nonprofit organization.
Teaching Artist at University of Indianapolis
December 31, 2023 - July 20, 2025
Provided teaching artist services for high-school outreach events.
Independent Performer & Touring Musician at Self-employed
January 1, 1999 - Present
Professional performer since age 15 with a dynamic career spanning jazz, classic R&B, world music, and experimental genres. Held a 10-year residency at a top Indianapolis jazz club and performed nationally and in the Caribbean. Collaborated with renowned artists and Grammy-winning engineers, featured on television and radio.
Band Director and Private Instructor at Carmel Music Academy
December 31, 2023 - July 23, 2025
Taught hundreds of students and delivered thousands of lessons across various instruments. Served as Band Director and was active in curriculum development, creating workshop series to deepen musical engagement. Fostered creation of new ensembles and provided planning and oversight for concerts and recitals. Mentored incoming instructors and helped shape the pedagogical culture of the studio.
Musical Director at NU80
January 1, 2017 - Present
Oversaw all musical arrangements, live performances, and creative direction for a high-energy 1980s revue and multimedia production. Responsibilities included ensemble coordination, production design, and ensuring musical excellence across all performances, blending nostalgia with contemporary theatrical concert experiences.
Co-Producer & Contributor at Real Poppycock Podcast
January 1, 2024 - Present
Co-produced a film-focused podcast exploring cinema through sound, storytelling, and cultural critique. Provided editorial direction, film analysis, and expertise on music and audio in cinema. Contributed to delivering a unique and often irreverent take on cinematic conventions and audiovisual language.
Teaching Artist and Program Advisor at Inspire Music Collective
January 1, 2023 - Present
Engaged in teaching, program design, and advising at a nonprofit focused on connecting professional creators with underserved youth. Worked on initiatives integrating music, media, and technology into accessible, youth-centered educational models that emphasize creativity, empowerment, and media literacy for disadvantaged communities.
Teaching Artist at University of Indianapolis
December 31, 2023 - July 23, 2025
Served as teaching artist for high-school outreach events in 2022 and 2023, contributing to educational programming aimed at youth engagement.
Independent Performer & Touring Musician at Self-Employed
January 1, 1999 - Present
Built a dynamic career performing professionally across jazz, classic R&B, world music, and experimental genres since age 15. Held a ten-year residency at a top Indianapolis jazz club and performed nationally in the US and Caribbean. Shared stage or opened for numerous notable artists. Work has been featured on television and radio, collaborating with Grammy Award-winning engineers and respected local artists.

Education

Technical Certificate at Ivy Tech Community College
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Technical Certificate at Ivy Tech Community College
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization
    paper Marimba Canon (A min)

    A counterpoint piece written in 3/4 time feature two marimbas, this piece is evokes a sense of urgency. Blending traditional baroque style with unusual instrumentation suggests a corruption of classical music.