Joel Alexander is an active performer and teacher in the Twin Cities. He has performed extensively with ensembles such as the Minnesota Orchestra, Mill City Summer Opera, and Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. He has also performed with artists such as Doc Severinsen, Ben Folds, and Pink Martini. He is also a very active teacher in the Twin Cities. He is currently the professor of percussion at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul where he directs the UNW drumline and percussion ensemble. He is also the percussion instructor at Wayzata High School where he directs the drumline and the percussion ensemble. Joel completed his master’s degree at the University of Minnesota where he studied with Fernando Meza and Peter Kogan, former principal timpanist with the Minnesota Orchestra. While completing his bachelor’s degree at Wheaton College, he studied with Kathy Kastner, Michael Folker, Eric Millstein, and Michael Kozakis. While in Wheaton, IL, he played with the Wheaton Municipal Band under the direction of Bruce Moss and special guest conductors such as Colonel Michael J. Colburn, former director of “The President’s Own” Marine Band. He was the winner of the Winds/Brass/Percussion division in the annual Wheaton College Concerto Competition in 2007, performing Eric Ewazen’s Concerto for Marimba and Strings.