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Biography

Joseph Higgins (he/him) is a conductor and educator who inspires curiosity, creativity, and connection through music. Since 2015, Dr. Higgins has served as Director of Bands at Rowan University where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches courses in conducting and band literature. For outstanding work in the classroom, he was awarded the 2018 Frances S. Johnson Innovative Teaching Award. He also received the University’s 2017-2018 Values Award for Inclusivity in recognition of his curating a “Music of Social Justice” performance series. The Rowan University Wind Ensemble was recently invited to perform at the 2020 College Band Directors National Association Eastern Division Conference in Philadelphia, PA; and Rowan bands perform frequently at state and regional festivals and conferences. Dr. Higgins has commissioned and premiered many new works for wind ensemble, working closely with both emerging and established composers from around the world. His professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, New Jersey Music Educators Association, and he is an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Dr. Higgins earned doctor and master of music degrees in conducting from Northwestern University, where his primary teacher was Mallory Thompson, and a bachelor of music degree in music education from the University of Georgia. Prior to graduate study, he taught at North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia. He lives in Haddon Heights, New Jersey, with his wife Michelle Higgins and their daughters, Eden and Iris.

Dr. Higgins also serves as co-chair of the Rowan University Catalysts for Sustainability initiative and produced the first Sound Planet Music Festival in 2023. To learn more about upcoming sustainability programming, please visit: soundplanet.me