Joseph Higgins strives to inspire curiosity, creativity, and understanding through music. He believes in the expressive power of new compositions to communicate with modern audiences and is a passionate advocate of socially conscious programming. In 2015, Joseph joined the faculty of Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey, where he conducts the wind ensembles and teaches courses in conducting. For his outstanding work in the classroom, Joseph 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 the “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. Joseph regularly serves as a guest conductor-clinician with outstanding professional, community, and student ensembles throughout the country. His professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, the National Association for Music Education, Pi Kappa Lambda (National Music Honor Society), and he is an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

 

Joseph 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 Collingswood NJ with his wife Michelle Higgins (Manager of Strategic Engagement at DataArts Philadelphia) and their daughter Eden.